Lighting equipment

ABSTRACT

The lens embraces a bulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, a bottom surface and a contour surface, and a well-shaped concavity is implemented in the inside of the lens body, aligned from the bottom surface toward the top surface. The lens body has geometry such as bullet-shape or egg-shape. A ceiling surface of concavity implemented in the lens body serves as a first lens surface, the top surface of the lens body serves as the second lens surface, and inside of the concavity serves as a storing cavity of a light source or a photodetector.

This patent application is a continuation patent application of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/090,810, filed Mar. 25, 2005 which is acontinuation patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/048,373,filed Jan. 29, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,190 B1 both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a proposal of an optical lens having anew structure. In particular, the present invention is directed to theoptical lens preferable for using the semiconductor light-emittingelements such as a light emitting diode (LED). Further, the presentinvention pertains to a light-emitting unit using the lens and lightingequipment using the light-emitting unit. Still further, the presentinvention relates to an optical information system embracing thelight-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit.

2. Background-Art

Flashlights having slender bodies employing halogen lamps are marketedrecently. But, these kinds of flashlights have disadvantages such thatthe life of the batteries are short such as around 3 hours, and the lifeof halogen lamps are short themselves, in continuous lighting operationconditions.

On the other hand, to personal computers, word processors, smallportable televisions, vehicle-mounted televisions, the liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) units are popularly used. For the illumination of a liquidcrystal display substrate, a fluorescence discharge tube (a fluorescentlamp) is used as the backlight. There is a problem that the fluorescentlamp for the backlight is easily damaged, or is easily deteriorated inthe performance, when the personal computer or the portable televisioninstalling the fluorescent lamp is dropped. In addition, when it isoperated under low temperature environment of winter season in colddistricts, the emission of light efficiency becomes low, because themercury vapor pressure in a tube becomes low, making it impossible toget enough brightness. Furthermore, stability and reliability areinsufficient for a long time operation. In addition, as for the mostimportant problem, the power consumption is large. If a portablepersonal computer is taken an example, a power consumption of the LCDunit is overwhelmingly larger than electricity used in themicroprocessor or in the memory. In view of above situation, it isdifficult to operate for long time the portable television or theportable personal computer by a battery when the fluorescent lamp isused as backlight illumination. In addition, a fluorescent lamp operateswith pulse like emission of light, corresponding to the frequency of apower supply. Therefore, although there may be differences betweenindividuals, the flickering feeling causes a problem of fatigue of humaneyes. That is to say, for the application which is near to directlighting method such as the backlight illumination, there is a problemof influence to the human body coming from fatigue of the eyes bydirectly looking the light from the fluorescent lamp for a long time, orcoming from the fatigue itself of the eyes.

Since the semiconductor light-emitting element such as the lightemitting diode (LED) convert the electric energy directly into lightenergy, compared with the incandescence lamp such as the halogen lamp,or the fluorescent lamp, the semiconductor light-emitting element hashigh conversion efficiency and characteristics being not accompaniedwith generation of heat at the emission of light. In an incandescentlamp, because the electric energy is once converted into the heatenergy, and the light radiation due to the generation of heat is used,the conversion efficiency of the incandescent lamp to the light istheoretically low, and the conversion efficiency cannot exceed 1%.Similarly, because the electric energy is converted once into electricdischarge energy in the fluorescent lamp, the conversion efficiency ofthe fluorescent lamp is low. On the other hand, in the LED, it ispossible to achieve the conversion efficiency of more than more than20%, which is about 100 times higher than the incandescent lamp or thefluorescent lamp. Furthermore, because the semiconductor light-emittingelement such as the LEDs can be considered that the life is almost semipermanent, and there is no problem of flickering such as the light fromthe fluorescent lamp, it may be called that the light emitted from thesemiconductor light-emitting element is “the light-mild-to-human”, whichdoes not give bad influence to human eyes and body.

Although the LED has such superior features, applications of the LEDsare limited to extremely limited fields, such as the indication lamps onthe control panel in various apparatuses or the display unit such as theelectric signboard, and there are few examples in which the LEDs areemployed by lighting equipments (illumination apparatus). In a part ofapplication, LED products for illuminating keyholes are known recently,but only small areas can light up by the LED products. In this way,apart from the special example, generally the LED is not employed forillumination.

The above situation is ascribable to the fact that, even the brightnessof the LED is extremely high, since the light-emitting-area of a singleLED is small of around 1 mm², the enough light flux required for thelighting equipment not being obtained.

In this way, with the conventional optical system, the illuminationintensity on an object plane of illumination does not reach desiredillumination intensity by the emission of light of a single LED. Inother words, a light flux per a unit area on a plane to be lighted up bythe light is not enough.

If the lighting equipment, in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged inthe matrix form, is provided specific illumination intensity will beobtained. However, as for the main material of the LED, an expensivecompound semiconductor is used for the present, and there is a definitelimit in reduction of production cost of the LED, because advancedmanufacture technologies such as an epitaxial growth and impuritiesdiffusion are required. Furthermore, in a substrate of an epitaxialgrowth of the gallium nitride, which is materials of a blue LED, anexpensive sapphire substrate is used, and there are other situationspeculiar to each semiconductor materials.

Therefore, it is not realistic to assemble the lighting system (lightingequipment) by the manner arranging a lot of expensive LEDs in order toget desired illumination intensity, because it becomes too expensive. Inaddition, although in silicon (Si), a wafer of a diameter of 300 mmbegins to be employed, as epitaxial growth substrate of the compoundsemiconductor, which is required for the material of the LED, such alarge diameter wafer cannot be obtained in the present technicalsituation. Furthermore, there are problems on manufacturing technologysuch as the homogeneity of epitaxial growth, it is difficult tomanufacture the LED having a large luminescence area fundamentally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is proposed to solve above problems. Therefore, anobject of the present invention is to provide a bulk-shaped lensproviding a desired illumination intensity without requiring largenumber of the light sources, a light source such as the LED can beemployed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bulk-shapedlens, extracting inherent light energy from a commercially availablelight source, capable of controlling the modification of optical pathsuch as the optical divergence and optical convergence or changing thefocal point, without modifying the configuration of the commerciallyavailable light source.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide alight-emitting unit having stability and reliability for long term, andis low cost, capable of achieving the enough illumination intensity.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide alight-emitting unit with low power consumption, capable of eliminatingthe flickering of light.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightingequipment with which the life of a battery is long and is suitable forcarrying.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an opticalinformation system, which is high in reliability and conversionefficiency.

In view of above objects, the first aspect of the present inventioninheres in a bulk-shaped lens encompassing a bulk-shaped lens bodyidentified by top, bottom and contour surfaces, a well-shaped concavityimplemented in the bulk-shaped lens body, dug from the bottom of thelens body along the direction to the top surface. A ceiling surface ofthe concavity established in the interior of the lens body serves as afirst lens surface, a top surface of the lens body serves as a secondlens surface, the inside of the concavity serves as a storing cavity ofa light source or a photodetector. That is to say, the first lenssurface serves as an entrance surface, and the second lens surfaceserves as an exit surface when the light source is installed in theinside of the concavity. On the other hand, the second lens surfaceserves as the entrance surface, and the first lens surface serves as theexit surface when the photodetector is installed in the inside ofconcavity. With a term of “bulk-shape”, a bullet-shape, an egg-shape, acocoon-shape, or a barrel vault-shape can be included. As for thesectional geometry, which is perpendicular to the optical axis, acomplete circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, a polygon, oranother shape is possible. As for the cross-sectional contour surface ofthe bulk-shaped lens body, the surface may be parallel with the opticalaxis such as the circumferential surface of a cylinder or a prism, orthe surface may have a taper against the optical axis.

The bulk-shaped lens body is required to be a transparent material tothe wavelength of light, because the lens body serves as the opticaltransmission medium, connecting the exit surface to the entrancesurface. As “a transparent material”, transparent resins (transparentplastic materials) such as an acryl resin, or various kinds of glassmaterials such as quartz glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, orlead glass can be employed. Or, crystalline materials such as zinc oxide(ZnO), zinc sulphide (ZnS), silicon carbide (SiC) may be used. Inaddition, even a material having pliability, flexibility or elasticity,such as transparent elastomer can be employed. In addition, in view ofthe generation of heat, when an incandescent lamp such as a halogen lampis used as the light source, a heat-resisting optical material should beused. As the heat-resisting optical material, heat-resisting glass suchas quartz glass, sapphire glass is preferable. Or, heat-resistingoptical materials may include heat-resisting resins such as polysulfoneresin, polyethersulfone resin, polycarbonate resin, polyetheresteramideresin, methacrylic resin, amorphous polyolefin resin, and polymericmaterials having perfluoroalkyl radix. A crystalline material such asSiC is superior in heat-resisting characteristics, too.

However, as “the light source”, element not generating remarkable heatat the luminescence operation, such as an LED or a semiconductor laser,are desirable. If the LED is used, when “the light source” was installedin the concavity (a storing cavity) of the bulk-shaped lens of the firstaspect of the present invention, the thermal effect is not given to thebulk-shaped lens by the heat action.

Desired illumination intensity can be easily achieved without requiringlarge number of light sources, according to the bulk-shaped lens of thefirst aspect of the present invention. The illumination intensity of thepresent invention cannot be achieved by an optical system using theearlier optical lenses. That is to say, the illumination intensity thatcannot be predicted by earlier technical common sense can be achieved bysimple and small configuration. Although the details are describedbelow, the equivalent function of the bulk-shaped lens of the presentinvention cannot be implemented by earlier thin optical lenses such as aconventional “double convex lens”, “a planoconvex lens”, “a meniscusconvex lens”, “a double concave lens”, “a planoconcave lens”, “ameniscus concave lens”. Or, the equivalent function would only becomepossible by using a large-scale earlier thin optical lens having adiameter of infinity.

LED has an internal quantum efficiency and an external quantumefficiency, but the external quantum efficiency is usually lower thanthe internal quantum efficiency. With efficiency nearly equal to theinternal quantum efficiency, it becomes possible to extract the inherentlight energy from the LED, by installing the LED in the storing cavity(concavity), which is formed in the bulk-shaped lens, according to thefirst aspect of the present invention.

In addition, modification of the optical path such as divergence orconvergence of light, and modification of the focal point are easilyimplemented without modifying the configuration of the light sourceitself, such as the LED itself, according to the bulk-shaped lens of thefirst aspect of the present invention.

“Light source” of the first aspect of the present invention ispreferably an element emitting the light in particular direction inpredetermined divergence angle. This is because, if the divergence angleof the light is known, emitting the light to a particular direction, thedesign of optics such as convergence or dispersion of light becomeseasy, and because the choice of radiuses of curvature of the first andsecond surfaces can be simplified. In addition, we should pay attentionthat one of the first and second curved surfaces can have infiniteradius of curvature, or can be identified as the near flat plane. If oneof the first and second curved surfaces is assigned by the predetermined(limited) radius of curvature, which is not infinity, the convergence ordivergence of light is controllable. In addition, we should payattention that “the predetermined divergence angle” may include zero °,or that parallel rays can be included. In addition, even if thedivergence angle is 90°, since the storing cavity encapsulate nearlycompletely the main luminescence portion of the light source, thecondensing of the light can be executed efficiently. This effectivenesscannot be achieved by the optical system of earlier optical lenses. Thatis to say, the inner wall of the storing cavity other than the portionserving as the entrance surface (the ceiling surface) identified by thefirst curved surface can serve as the effective entrance portion of thelight.

To be concrete, “the light source” of the first aspect of the presentinvention is preferable to be a molded semiconductor light-emittingelement, molded by a transparent material having the first refractiveindex, and the storing cavity install the light source through fluid orliquid material having a second refractive index different from thefirst refractive index. Here, “the fluid” may be gas or liquid, which istransparent to wavelength of the light emitted from the light source,and it may be air in the simplest choice. “The liquid material” may besol-like material, colloid-like material or gel-like material, which istransparent to wavelength of the light emitted from the light source. Or“the main luminescence portion of light source” in the first aspect ofthe present invention is implemented by an edge of an optical fiberhaving transmission portion made of a transparent material with thefirst refractive index, and the storing cavity can install, throughfluid or liquid material having the second refractive index differentfrom the first refractive index, the edge of the optical fiber. In thiscase, the light source employed to input the predetermined light, fromthe other end of the optical fiber, is not always limited to thesemiconductor light-emitting element. Because, even if the light isemitted from the incandescent lamp, the edge of the optical fiberreceived inside of concavity of the bulk-shaped lens (a storing cavity)can be kept at low temperature.

The second aspect of the present invention inheres in the light-emittingunit, encompassing at least a light source, emitting light ofpredetermined wavelength, and a bulk-shaped lens, encapsulating nearlycompletely the main luminescence portion of the light source. And thebulk-shaped lens is identified by the structure described in the firstaspect, and it embraces the bulk-shaped lens body identified by top,bottom and contour surfaces and the well-shaped concavity implemented inthe lens body, the concavity being dug from the bottom to top surface.And the ceiling surface of the concavity established in the interior ofthe lens body serves as the entrance surface, while the top of the lensbody serves as the exit surface, and the inside of concavity serves asthe storing cavity of the light source.

In the light-emitting unit of the second aspect of the presentinvention, it is preferable to install a semiconductor light-emittingelement such as an LED in the inside of the concavity of the bulk-shapedlens (the storing cavity), since the generation of heat is so small fromthe semiconductor light-emitting element at luminescence operation, evenif the light source is received in the concavity, that the thermaleffect is not given to the bulk-shaped lens, and therefore, in long termoperation, high reliability and stability can be achieved.

According to the light-emitting unit of the second aspect of the presentinvention, desired illumination intensity can be easily obtained bysmall number of the light sources. This illumination intensity providesa high enough brightness, which cannot be predicted by earlier technicalcommon sense, or the illumination intensity is not achieved by knownoptical system. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit consumes smallelectricity, without flickering.

In the light-emitting unit of the second aspect of the presentinvention, the light source is preferable to have an optical geometry soas to emit a beam to particular orientation with a predetermineddivergence angle. If the divergence angle of light is known, the designof optics such as condensing and dispersing becomes easy, and theselections of radius of curvatures of the first and second curvedsurfaces can be simplified. In addition, as described in the firstaspect, either of the first and second curved surfaces can include thesurface, which is nearly flat having infinite or nearly infinite radiusof curvature.

In the light-emitting unit of the second aspect of the presentinvention, light source is preferable to be a molded semiconductorlight-emitting element in a transparent material having a firstrefractive index, and it is preferable that the storing cavity receivesthe light source through a fluid or a liquid material having a secondrefractive index different from the first refractive index. “The fluid”can be construed as gas or liquid, and “the liquid material” as asol-like, colloid-like, or a gel-like material, as defined in the firstaspect.

Or, in a light-emitting unit of the second aspect of the presentinvention, an edge of an optical fiber having transmission core made ofa transparence material having the first refractive index can serve asthe main luminescence portion of light source, the optical fiber isconnected optically to a predetermined light source, the storing cavityinstalls the edge of the optical fiber through the fluid or liquidmaterial having the second refractive index different from the firstrefractive index.

A third aspect of the present invention inheres in a lighting equipmentencompassing a power supply unit and the light-emitting unit describedin the second aspect. As the power supply unit for portable lightingequipment, a battery is preferable. As the light source, a semiconductorlight-emitting element configured to emit light of predeterminedwavelength is desirable, in which a semiconductor chip is molded in atransparence material, the chip having anode and cathode electrodes,both connected to the battery. The lighting equipment is preferable touse the bulk-shaped lens, nearly completely encapsulating the mainluminescence portion of the semiconductor light-emitting element. Abulk-shaped lens is implemented by the configuration described in thefirst aspect.

In the lighting equipment of the third aspect of the present invention,since a single semiconductor light-emitting element is enough to beused, the structure becomes simple, and it can be manufactured in lowercost. In addition, the bulk-shaped lens extracts the inherent lightenergy of this semiconductor light-emitting element so that the enoughillumination intensity required for lighting is achieved. Furthermore,this lighting equipment is superior in stability and reliability for along term, operates without flickering. Furthermore, because the powerdissipation is low, a lifetime of battery is long.

The fourth aspect of the present invention inheres in an opticalinformation system embracing a light-emitting unit and a light-receivingunit. Similarly as described in the second aspect, the light-emittingunit encompasses a first bulk-shaped lens body, identified by first top,first bottom and first contour surfaces, and a light source emittinglight of predetermined wavelength, installed in the well-shaped firstconcavity, the concavity is implemented in the inside of the first lensbody, dug from the first bottom to the first top surface. On the otherhand, the light-receiving unit encompasses a second bulk-shaped lensbody, identified by second top, second bottom and second contoursurfaces and a photodetector detecting light of the predeterminedwavelength, installed in the well-shaped second concavity implemented inthe second bulk-shaped lens, the second concavity is dug to the secondtop from the second bottom. The ceiling surface of the first concavityserves as the first entrance surface, the first top surface serves asthe first exit surface, the second top surface serves as the secondentrance surface, and the ceiling surface of the second concavity servesas the second exit surface.

In the optical information system of the fourth aspect of the presentinvention, it is preferable to employ a semiconductor light-emittingelement such as an LED as the light source, by which the generation ofheat is low at the luminescence operation, such that the light source isinstalled in the inside of concavity (the storing cavity) of thebulk-shaped lens, because even if the light source is installed in theconcavity, the thermal effect is not given to the bulk-shaped lens sothat, in a long term operation, high reliability and high stability canbe achieved. In addition, an optical signal can be transmitted with highconversion efficiency as already explained in the second aspect. On theother hand, in the light-receiving unit, the light arrives tophotodetector in the reverse process of the light-emitting unit so thatthe photo detection with extremely high sensitivity is achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the light-emittingunit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing a measuring system, configured tomeasure vertical optical intensity (illumination intensity) profile tooptical axis orientation, using the bulk-shaped lens of the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing a measuring system using an earlierdouble convex lens, comparing with FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the measured results, when output intensityprofiles (illumination intensity profiles) along y direction ofradiation from the bulk-shaped lens of the first embodiment of thepresent invention, an earlier thin optical lens (a double convex lens),and bare LED, and each of the output intensity profiles were measured atmeasuring distance x=1 m.

FIG. 4 shows similar results as shown in FIG. 3, but the outputintensity profiles (the illumination intensity profiles) along ydirection were measured, changing the measuring distance x.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relationships between geometricalconfigurations and the corresponding condensing efficiencies of thebulk-shaped lenses of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a list showing the corresponding geometrical configurations inthe bulk-shaped lens shown in FIG. 5, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emitting unitaccording to a modification of the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A to 8C show relationships between the protruding heights Δimplemented by the first lens surfaces and the corresponding beamintensity profiles, respectively.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show relationships between the protruding heights Δimplemented by the first lens surfaces and the corresponding beamintensity profiles, respectively.

FIGS. 10A to 10C show relationships between the protruding heights Δimplemented by the first lens surfaces and the corresponding beamintensity profiles, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing relationships between the protrudingheights Δ implemented by the first lens surfaces and the correspondingflatness of the illumination intensity profiles, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a bird's-eye view showing a light-emitting unit according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the light-emittingunit of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a bird's-eye view showing a back mirror and a LED holder ofthe light-emitting unit of the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16A is a bird's-eye view of a chart showing a light-emitting unitof a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emittingunit of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emitting unitof the fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing a detailedconfiguration in which a plurality of disk-shaped LEDs are disposed on afilm-like substrate.

FIG. 17B shows a top plan view corresponding to FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a figure showing circuit configuration in which pluraldisk-shaped LEDs are connected in series.

FIG. 19 is a figure showing circuit configuration in which pluraldisk-shaped LEDs are connected in parallel.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emittingunit according to a modification of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emitting unitaccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, showing adetailed configuration in which a plurality of bare-chips (LED chips)are disposed on a film-like substrate.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another light-emittingunit according to a modification of the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, showing another mounting configuration in which a pluralityof bare-chips (LED chips) are disposed on the film-like substrate.

FIG. 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light-emitting unitaccording to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing adetailed configuration in which a plurality of bare-chips (LED chips)are vertically stacked on a film-like substrate.

FIG. 24 shows a schematic cross-sectional view, in which the LED chipsshown in FIG. 23 are magnified.

FIG. 25 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a lighting equipmentaccording to a eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a bird's-eye view showing the configuration in which thelighting equipment of the eighth embodiment of the present invention isattached to a supporting substrate.

FIG. 27 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a modification of the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 29 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to another modification of the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32A are bird's-eye views of a lighting equipment (display unit)according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32B shows a bird's-eye view of the display unit according to amodification of the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitto be used in the display unit shown in FIG. 32B.

FIG. 34A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical mixingdevice, in which the light-emitting units shown in the thirteenthembodiment of the present invention are merged.

FIG. 35 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting unitaccording to a 14th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36A shows a partially broken bird's-eye view of a two-dimensionallight-emitting unit according to a 15th embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 36B shows a bird's-eye view of the two-dimensional light-emittingunit, shown from a different orientation from the FIG. 36A.

FIG. 37A shows a bird's-eye view of a two-dimensional light-emittingunit according to a 16th embodiment.

FIG. 37B shows a bird's-eye view of a two-dimensional light-emittingunit according to a modification of the 16th embodiment

FIG. 38 shows a bird's-eye view of a two-dimensional light-emitting unitaccording to a modification other than the 16th embodiment

FIG. 39 shows a bird's-eye view of a two-dimensional light-emitting unitof another modification of the 16th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40A shows a partially broken bird's-eye view of a two-dimensionallight-emitting unit according to a 17th embodiment

FIG. 40B is a bird's-eye view showing a bulk-shaped lens to be used tothe two-dimensional light-emitting unit shown in FIG. 40A.

FIG. 41 shows a partially broken bird's-eye view of a two-dimensionallight-emitting unit according to a 18th embodiment

FIG. 42 shows a partially broken bird's-eye view of a two-dimensionallight-emitting unit according to a 19th embodiment

FIG. 43 shows a partially broken bird's-eye view of a two-dimensionallight-emitting unit according to a modification of the 19th embodiment

FIG. 44A are schematic cross-sectional views of a hand-held instrument(portable lighting equipment) according to a 20th embodiment of thepresent invention

FIG. 44B is a partially broken bird's-eye view of the hand-heldinstrument shown in FIG. 44A, showing the disassembled state.

FIG. 45 shows a magnified schematic cross-sectional view, showing thevicinity of LED chip in the hand-held instrument shown in FIG. 44A.

FIG. 46A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hand-heldinstrument according to a modification of the 20th embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 46B shows a sectional view of a hand-held instrument according toanother modification of the 20th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a schematic view showing a locking/release system accordingto a 21st embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48A is a sectional view of the locking/release system, showing aconfiguration in which a signal reception unit and a lock mechanism aremerged in a desk, which serves as the locking object, thelocking/release system is remote controlled by a parallel beam.

FIG. 48B is a sectional view showing a configuration of a near-fieldoperation, in which the signal reception unit and the lock mechanism aremutually approached.

FIG. 49 is a schematic view showing a locking/release system having asecurity feature according to a 22nd embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 50 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hand-held instrument (ahand tool having a lighting unit) according to a 23rd embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 51 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit according to a 24th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit according to a 25th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit according to a 26th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a photodetectoraccording to a 27th embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55 is a bird's-eye view showing a light-emitting unit of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First embodiment to 27th embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be notedthat the same or similar reference numerals are applied to the same orsimilar parts and elements throughout the drawings. However the drawingsare represented schematically, and it will be appreciated that therelationships between the layer thicknesses and the plane size, theproportions of thickness of each layer are different from the realconfiguration. Therefore, concrete thickness and size must be determinedtaking into consideration of following discussion. Further, and it willbe appreciated that the various drawings are not drawn to scale from onefigure to another, and included the portion in which the relationship orproportion of mutual sizes are different.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emitting unitof the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1,the light-emitting unit of the first embodiment of the present inventionembraces at least a light source 1 emitting light having predeterminedwavelength and a bulk-shaped lens 20 encapsulating nearly completely thelight source 1. And, the bulk-shaped lens 20 encompasses a bulk shape(bullet-shape) lens body 4 identified by top surface 3, bottom surfaceand contour surface and a well-shaped concavity 6 implemented in theinside of lens body 4, dug to top surface 3 from the bottom surface. Aceiling surface of the concavity 6 implemented in the interior of lensbody 4 serves as a first lens surface 2, the top surface of the lensbody serves as a second lens surface 3, the inside of the concavityserves as a storing cavity 6 of the light source 1.

The first lens surface 2 serves as an entrance surface 2 identified bythe first curved surface. Storing cavity 6 encompasses a ceiling surface2 identified by a first curved surface and a sidewall portion, which isconfigured to form the concavity in succession to the ceiling surface 2.The light incident from the entrance surface 2 outputs from the exitsurface 3, or the second lens surface 3 identified by the second curvedsurface. The portion connecting the entrance surface 2 and the exitsurface 3 of lens body 4 should be made of a transparent material towavelength of light emitted from the light source, because the portionserves as an optical transmission medium.

The light source 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a resin-molded LED encompassing afirst pin 11, a susceptor connected to the first pin 11 so as to mergeinto a single body, an LED chip 13 mounted on the susceptor, moldingresin 14 configured to encapsulate the LED chip 13, and a second pin 12opposing to the first pin 11. A top surface of a main luminescenceportion of this resin molded LED 1 has a convex-shaped curved surface asshown in FIG. 1. In this way, the light emitted from LED chip 13 isdirected in predetermined divergence angle to right direction in FIG. 1,because the vicinity of the top surface of the resin mold 14 has theconvex-shaped curved surface.

For example, apart from the convex-shaped curved surface portion, theresin molded LED 1 has a cylinder geometry of diameter (outsidediameter) 2r_(LED)=2-3 mm^(φ). As for the side wall region of thestoring cavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20, the storing cavity 6 has acylindrical geometry of diameter (inside diameter) 2r=2.5-4 mm^(φ) to beable to receive a main luminescence portion of resin molded LED 1.Although the illustration is omitted, between the storing cavity 6 ofthe LED 1 and the bulk-shaped lens 20, a spacer of thickness around0.25-0.5 mm is interposed in order to fix the LED 1 and the bulk-shapedlens 20. The outside diameter 2r_(LED) of the LED 1 is approximatelysame as the inside diameter 2r of the storing cavity 6, and the outsidediameter 2r_(LED) of the LED 1 is set slightly smaller than the insidediameter 2r. It is preferable that the spacer is disposed to exclude themain luminescence portion of the LED 1, or the left portion from thebottom face of LED chip 13 in FIG. 1. Bulk-shaped lens 20 has a almostcylinder geometry, similar to the geometry of the LED 1, apart from thetop surface having the exit surface, identified by the convex-shapedsecond curved surface. Diameter (outside diameter) 2Ro of cylindergeometry portion of this bulk-shaped lens 20 is 10-30 mm^(φ). Thediameter (the outside diameter) 2Ro of the bulk-shaped lens 20 can bechosen depending on purposes of use of the light-emitting units of thefirst embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it can be lessthan 10 mm^(φ), and even more than 30 mm^(φ). However, in order toincrease the condensing efficiency, it is preferable to satisfy therelationship:10r>Ro>3r  (1)Diameter (outside diameter) 2Ro of the bulk-shaped lens 20 can be morethan 10 times of the inside diameter 2r of the storing cavity 6, and thelarge dimensional bulk-shaped lens of the present invention can operatesimilarly, but it is unfavorable for the purpose of miniaturization,because it becomes larger than requirement.

Generally, the light appearing from region aside from a convex-shapedcurved surface of the resin mold 14 of the LED 1 does not contribute tolightings, because it becomes so-called stray light component. However,in the geometrical configuration according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the geometry satisfy the Eq. (1),because the resin molded LED 1 is nearly completely encapsulated in thestoring cavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20, the stray light componentbecome possible to contribute significantly to lighting. That is to say,the inner wall portion 5 of the storing cavity 6 aside from the entrancesurface (the ceiling surface) 2, identified by the first curved surface,can serve as the effective entrance surface of the light. In addition,components of light reflected back in each interface repeats multiplereflections between the storing cavity 6 of the LED 1 and thebulk-shaped lens 20 so that it become the stray light components. By anoptical system of the earlier known optical lenses, these stray lightcomponents cannot be extracted so as to contribute to effectivelighting. However, these stray light components can finally contributeto lighting, because these stray light components are confined in theinside of the storing cavity 6, in the first embodiment of the presentinvention. Because the geometrical configuration being designed tosatisfy Eq. (1), the light input from the inner wall portion 5 of thestoring cavity 6 can be prevented from leaking from the contour surfaceof the bulk-shaped lens 20 again. Consequently, it becomes possible toextract the inherent light energy from the LED chip 13, with extractionefficiency approximately same as the internal quantum efficiency,without depending on geometry of the resin mold 14 nor the reflectioncomponent of the mutual optical system.

FIG. 2A is schematic view showing a measurement system, in which theoptical intensity profiles (the illumination intensity profiles) aremeasured vertically to optical axis, using the bulk-shaped lens 20 ofthe first embodiment of the present invention. Intensity of radiation(the illumination intensity) from an exit surface of the bulk-shapedlens 20 is measured at a measuring distance x=(Constant) from the LED 1,while the illuminometer 102 is moved along y-axis direction. A measuringdistance (x) is measured along the optical axis direction. On the otherhand, FIG. 2B shows the optics in which an earlier double convex lens isused, and similar measurement is done. In the measurement shown in FIGS.2A and 2B, an outside diameter of the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the firstembodiment of the present invention is selected to be 30 mm^(φ), and theoutside diameter of the double convex lens 101 used in comparison isselected to be 63 mm^(φ), which is over two times of the bulk-shapedlens 20. Even if, as can be seen in following discussion, even theoutside diameter of the earlier thin optical lens (the double convexlens) 101 is selected such as a little over two times of the bulk-shapedlens 20, the equivalent optical characteristic cannot be obtained as thebulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment of the present invention bythe earlier thin optical lens. Double convex lens 101 employed has afocal distance 190 mm, which is disposed from the LED 1 in a location of150 mm along the x direction. In addition, by the earlier optical systemshown in FIG. 2B, additional instruments such as a lens holder or adriving unit is required aside from the illustrated instruments, andadjustment is complicated, but expansion or convergence of the opticalpath, can be realized by the simple configuration shown in FIG. 2A withthe bulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows the results, in which intensity (illumination intensity)profiles along y-direction of radiation from the bulk-shaped lens 20 ofthe first embodiment of the present invention, the earlier thin opticallens (double convex lens) 101 and a bare LED without using thebulk-shaped lens were respectively measured at measuring distance x=1 m.It is found that, by the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment ofthe present invention, illumination intensity two times larger than thatof the earlier thin optical lens (double convex lens) 101 is achieved.

FIG. 4 shows the intensity (illumination intensity) profile alongy-direction similar to the data shown in FIG. 3, but the illuminationintensity profiles are measured at various measuring distance x, andthey are gathered up. Abscissa of FIG. 4 represents inverse-square ofmeasuring distance x, that is to say of 1/x², while ordinate representsmaximum intensity (peak intensity) measured at respective measuringdistance x. As shown in FIG. 4, data points are plotted perfectly on aline showing the inverse-square law, that is to say, on the line, whichshows 1/x², for the case of the bulk-shaped lens 20 according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention. On the other hand, for thecase of the earlier thin optical lens (the double convex lens) 101, datapoints are deviated from the inverse-square law. That is to say, for thecase of the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the beam parallelism of radiation is good, but in the case ofthe earlier thin optical lens (the double convex lens) 101, it is foundthat data points are deviated from the inverse-square law because thebeam is not in parallel. By means of the double convex lenses of otherfocal distances, even if the distances between the LED and the doubleconvex lenses are changed, the very similar results are obtained. If thedouble convex lens of diameter infinity were used, it might be possible,but even if any kind of realistic double convex lens is used, it isimpossible to get the same results as the bulk-shaped lens 20 of thefirst embodiment in such compact configuration as shown in FIG. 2A. Fromconsideration of simple geometrical optics, it is extremely impossibleto bring the convex lens close to the LED. We should use the convex lensof very small focal distance, such as being used in microscope, to bringthe convex lens close to the LED. However, condensing efficiencydecreases when the convex lens is brought close to the LED in this way.When a short focus optical lens having large diameter is prepared inorder to improve the condensing efficiency, the distance between the LEDand the center of the convex lens gets impossible to be shortenedsubstantially, because the optical lens becomes thick as the diameterbecomes large. It can be concluded that the extremely giant diameter andcomplex optical system is required after all in order to get the sameresults as the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment of thepresent invention. In other words, with thin optical lenses such as anearlier “double convex lens”, “a planoconvex lens”, “a meniscus convexlens”, “a double concave lens”, “a planoconcave lens”, “a meniscusconcave lens”, if we do not use the large-scale optical lens havingdiameter of infinity, the equivalent function implemented by thebulk-shaped lens 20 of the first embodiment of the present inventioncannot be achieved.

FIG. 5 shows relationships between geometrical configurations of thebulk-shaped lens of the first embodiment of the present invention andcorresponding condensing efficiency. Here, “the condensing efficiency”is defined as the value: “Quantity of output light in divergence angleless than ±1° from the bulk-shaped lens” divided by “quantity of lightin divergence angle less than ±15° from light source(LED)”. From theresults shown in FIG. 5, with radius R of curvature of the second lenssurface (the second curved surface) 3 and overall length L of thebulk-shaped lens, to improve the condensing efficiency, it is found thatit should satisfy:0.93<k(R/L)<1.06  (2)k=1/(0.35·n−0.168)  (3)where, n is a refractive index of the bulk-shaped lens. In addition,radius Ro of the cylinder geometry region of the bulk-shaped lens 20does not have to be always equal to radius R of curvature of the secondcurved surface. FIG. 6 is a list showing the geometrical configurationsof respective bulk-shaped lenses shown in FIG. 5, namely, radius R ofcurvature of the second curved surface, overall length L of thebulk-shaped lens, distance D between the first and second lens surfaces,inside diameter r of the storing cavity 6, and protruding height Δimplemented by the first lens surface. Here, “the protruding height Δimplemented by the first lens surface” is the pushing out quantity ofthe convex part (the first curved surface), as defined in FIG. 7. Inaddition, FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing alight-emitting unit related to a modification of the first embodiment ofthe present invention. Bulk-shaped lens 20 shown in FIG. 1 had the firstconcave-shaped lens surface and the second convex-shaped lens surface.However, FIG. 1 is an example, and the first and second lens surfacescan accept various kinds of topologies depending on purposes, and theprotruding height Δ implemented by the first lens surface can takepositive or negative value. In addition, even Δ=0 can be employed. Here,the positive direction of Δ is defined as the convex-shaped case, namelythe positive direction corresponds to the topology of the first lenssurfaces shown in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8A-8C, FIGS. 9A-9C and FIGS. 10A-10C show the relationshipsbetween the protruding heights Δ of the convex portions defined in FIG.7 and the beam intensity profiles, respectively. Outside diameter Ro ofthe cylinder geometry portion of the bulk-shaped lens 20 used formeasurement is 15 mm, overall length L of the bulk-shaped lens is 25 mm,distance D between the first and second lens surfaces is 16 mm, insideradius r of the storing cavity 6 is 5.2 mm, refractive index n of abulk-shaped lens is 1.54. Radius R of curvature of the second lenssurface of this bulk-shaped lens is 8.25 mm. In addition, a contour ofresin molded LED 1 used for measurement is 5 mm. And FIG. 11 showsrelationships between the flatness of the illumination intensityprofiles and the protruding heights Δ of the convex portions, obtainedby the results of FIGS. 8A-8C, FIGS. 9A-9 and FIGS. 10A-10C in theirradiation areas defined by ±15 cm at the measuring distance of 1 m.Here, the flatness of the illumination intensity is defined by:((maximum)−(minimum))/(mean value)  (4)In the case that outside diameter 2Ro=15 mm of the bulk-shaped lens 20,it is found that it is preferable to improve the flatness of theillumination intensity profile:0.2 mm<Δ<0.6 mm  (5)More generally, it is preferable to assume:0.025<Δ/Ro<0.075  (6)

A transparent material having the first refractive index n₁, such asepoxy resin, molds the LED 1 of the first embodiment of the presentinvention. And the bulk-shaped lens 20 installs the LED 1 through air,having the second refractive index n₀, which is different from the firstrefractive index n₁. The LED 1 may be installed in the storing cavity 6with fluid or liquid material aside from air. Various kinds of “fluid”can be employed, if it is the gas or liquid, which is transparent towavelength of light emitted from the LED 1. Spacer oil can be usedbetween the LED 1 and the storing cavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20.In addition, as “the liquid material”, transparent materials of variouskinds such as sol-like, colloid-like or gel-like materials can beemployed. In addition, it is preferable that the bulk-shaped lens 20 hasa third refractive index n₂ different from the second refractive indexn₀. The light from the LED chip 13 can be scattered or converged bychoosing the first refractive index n₁, the second refractive index n₀and the third refractive index n₂ so that each has the optimum value.And the optical path may be designed such that the third refractiveindex n₂ manifested by the optical transmission medium of thebulk-shaped lens 20 is gradually increasing or decreasing. In this way,according to the light-emitting unit of the first embodiment of thepresent invention, desired light flux to required irradiation area isachieved, as the light beam contributing to lighting, without employinga large number of the resin molded LEDs 1, and desired illuminationintensity can be easily obtained. This illumination intensity cannot beachieved by the optical system of the earlier known optical lenses.Surprisingly, only single LED realized the illumination intensityimplemented by the commercially available flashlight using the halogenlamp. In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the firstembodiment of the present invention, the illumination intensity thatcannot be predicted at all can be realized in the simple configurationas shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, as resin molded LED 1 to be used in the light-emitting unitof the first embodiment of the present invention, any LED of variouskinds of color (wavelength) can be employed. But, for lighting purposesuch as a flashlight, white LED is preferred, because it is natural to ahuman eye. As to the white LED, various kinds of configuration can beemployed. For example, three pieces of LED chips including the red (R)green (G) and blue (B) chips can be stacked vertically so as to composethe white LED (cf. FIG. 24). In this case, from the resin mold 14,corresponding to the respective LED tips of different colors, totallysix pins can be extracted. As inside electric wirings of the resin mold14, six pins may be merged into two pins, so as to assemble the LED in aconfiguration having two external pins. In addition, the number of theexternal pins become four, when one electrode (earth electrode) iselected to be common. In addition, if the drive voltages of three piecesof LED chip, consisting of red (R) color, green (G) color and blue (B)color chips are controlled mutually independently, mixing of every coloris possible, so that changes of tone of color can be enjoyed.

As the bulk-shaped lens 20 to be employed in the light-emitting unit ofthe first embodiment of the present invention, transparent plasticmaterials such as acryl resin or various kinds of glass materials suchas quartz glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, lead glass can beemployed.

Or crystalline materials such as ZnO, ZnS, SiC may be used. In addition,even materials having pliability, flexibility and elasticity such as,for example, sol, gel, sol-gel mixture or transparence elastomer can beemployed. In addition, it may be used in configurations such that sol,gel, sol-gel mixture are stored in container made of a transparentelastomer or a flexible transparent plastic material. Among them,transparent plastic materials such as, acryl resin is material to bepreferable for mass-producing the large number of the bulk-shaped lens20. That is to say, if die is made once, the large number of thebulk-shaped lenses 20 are molded simultaneously using this die, and thebulk-shaped lens 20 are easily mass produced.

Second Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 12, a light-emitting unit of the first embodiment ofthe present invention encompasses a main luminescence portion 8023 oflight source, emitting light of predetermined wavelength, and abulk-shaped lens 20 encapsulating nearly completely the mainluminescence portion 8023 of light source. And, the bulk-shaped lens 20encompasses a bulk-shaped lens body 4 having a top surface 3, bottomsurface and a contour surface, and a well-shaped concavity 6 implementedin the inside of lens body 4, dug toward top surface 3 from the bottomsurface. A ceiling surface of concavity 6, arranged in an interior ofthe lens body 4, serves as a first lens surface (an entrance surface) 2,a top surface of a lens body serves as a second lens surface (an exitsurface) 3, and inside of concavity serves as a storing cavity 6 oflight source 1. Here, “the main luminescence portion of light source” isan edge of optical fiber bundle 8023, each fiber having a transmissionportion made of a transparent material having the first refractiveindex.

Optical fiber bundle 8023 shown in FIG. 12 merges plural optical fibers8023 a, 8023 b, 8023 c, . . . Lights from plural optical fibers 8023 a,8023 b, 8023 c, . . . emit in predetermined divergence angle to rightdirection of FIG. 12. Configuration of respective plural optical fibers8023 a, 8023 b, 8023 c, . . . , composing optical fiber bundle 8023, mayhave straight geometry or twisting topology may be added to the straightgeometry. In addition, even a single optical fiber rather than opticalfiber bundle 8023 can be employed, of course.

For example, contour of the optical fiber bundle 8023 may be a cylinderhaving a diameter (an outside diameter) 4-5 mm^(φ). The side wallportion of the storing cavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20 isimplemented with a cylindrical geometry of diameter (inside diameter)4.5-6 mm^(φ) so that it can install the edge of optical fiber bundle8023. Although the illustration is omitted, between the storing cavity 6of optical fiber bundle 8023 and the optical fiber bundle, a spacer ofthickness around 0.25-0.5 mm is interposed in order to fix the LED 1 andthe optical fiber bundle. The bulk-shaped lens 20 has cylinder geometry,apart from the top surface serving as the exit surface 3, the topsurface being identified by the convex-shaped second curved surface.Diameter of cylinder geometry portion of the optical fiber bundle (anoutside diameter) is 10-30 mm^(φ). Diameter of the optical fiber bundle(an outside diameter) can be chosen depending on purposes of thelight-emitting units of the second embodiment of the present invention.Therefore, it can be less than 10 mm^(φ), and even more than 30 mm^(φ).

The optical fiber bundle 8023 of the second embodiment of the presentinvention embraces a plurality of optical fibers 8023 a, 8023 b, 8023 c,. . . , each having clad layer with the first refractive index n₁. Andthe bulk-shaped lens 20 installs the edge of the optical fiber bundle8023, through air having second refractive index n₀, which is differentfrom the first refractive index n₁. The edge of the optical fiber bundle8023 may be installed in the storing cavity 6 through a fluid or liquidmaterial aside from air. In addition, the optical fiber bundle may havethird refractive index n₆ different from the second refractive index n₀.And it can scatter or converge the light from the edge of the opticalfiber bundle 8023, by choosing the optimum values of the firstrefractive index n₁, the second refractive index n₀, and the thirdrefractive index n₆, respectively. In addition, optical paths may bedesigned by setting the value of the third refractive index n₆ of theoptical fiber bundle such that it is increasing or decreasing gradually.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, component of lightreflected back in multiple reflections at each of interfaces between theedge of the optical fiber bundle 8023 and the storing cavity 6 of theoptical fiber bundle becomes stray light component. By an optical systemof the earlier known optical lenses, these stray light components cannotbe extracted such that it can contribute to lighting. However, becausethese stray light components are confined in the inside of the storingcavity 6 in the second embodiment of the present invention, it becomesthe components, which can contribute to lighting finally. In this case,it is preferable to choose a geometrical configuration of the opticalfiber bundle such that the already described Eqs. (1)-(3) or Eq. (6) aresatisfied.

In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the secondembodiment of the present invention, we can choose desired irradiationarea freely as the light beam contributing to lighting so that theillumination intensity desired can be easily obtained.

Light source to input predetermined light to the other end portion ofthe optical fiber bundle 8023 of the second embodiment of the presentinvention is not always limited to the semiconductor light-emittingelement. Because even if it is the light from an incandescent lamp, theedge of the optical fiber bundle 8023 installed in the inside of thestoring cavity 6 of the optical fiber bundle can be held at lowtemperature. Therefore, if light source other than the semiconductorlight-emitting element is used, because limiting of the light flux,prescribed by the output of LED, as in the light-emitting unit of thefirst embodiment of the present invention, can be removed, and anextremely bright lighting system can be realized.

The geometry of the edge of the optical fiber bundle 8023 is not limitedto the topology shown in the drawings, of course.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-emittingunit of the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.13, the light-emitting unit of the third embodiment of the presentinvention embraces at least composed a light source 1 emitting light ofpredetermined wavelength and a bulk-shaped lens 20 encapsulating thelight source 1 by nearly completely. And the bulk-shaped lens 20encompasses a bulk-shaped lens body 4 identified by a top surface 3, abottom surface and a contour surface and a well-shaped concavity 6implemented in the inside of the lens body 4, dug toward the top surface3 from the bottom surface. A ceiling surface of the concavity 6 servesas a first lens surface (an entrance surface) 2, a top surface of thelens body serves as a second lens surface (an exit surface) 3, inside ofthe concavity serves as a storing cavity 6 of the light source 1.

For example, as the light source 1, iodine (I₂)-tungsten lamp (halogenlamp) of diameter (outside diameter) 2-3 mm^(φ) measured at the greatestportion, namely an incandescent lamp with a miniature lamp geometry, canbe employed. The cross sectional geometry of the bulk-shaped lens 20 isa bullet-shape as shown in FIG. 13. The concavity side wall 5 of theconcavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20 has a cylindrical geometry ofdiameter (inside diameter) 2.5-4 mm^(φ) such that it can install themain luminescence portion of light source (an incandescent lamp) 1.Although the illustration is omitted, between socket portion of thelight source 1 and the concavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20, a spacerof thickness around 1-2.5 mm is interposed in order to fix the lightsource 1 and the bulk-shaped lens 20 (In FIG. 13, left side portion ofthe light source 1 corresponding to electrode-leads is called “socketpart”.) Diameter (outside diameter) of a cylinder shape portion of thebulk-shaped lens 20 of a bullet-shape can be chosen depending onpurposes of the light-emitting unit of the third embodiment of thepresent invention. Therefore, it can be less than 10 mm^(φ), and evenmore than 30 mm^(φ). But, it is preferable to choose a geometricalconfiguration of the bulk-shaped lens 20 such that it satisfies thealready described Eqs. (1)-(3) or Eq. (6), of course. In addition, thebulk-shaped lens 20 of the third embodiment of the present invention hasdifferent refractive index n₁ from refractive index n₀ of air.

In FIG. 13, concavity sidewall 5 of the concavity 6 aside from theentrance surface 2 (the ceiling surface) can serve as an entrancesurface of effective light. Component of lights reflected back in eachinterfaces do multiple reflections between the concavity 6 of the lightsource 1 and the bulk-shaped lens 20 become stray light components. Byan optical system of the earlier known optical lenses, these stray lightcomponents cannot be extracted so as to contribute to lighting. However,because these stray light components beings confined in the inside ofthe concavity 6 in the third embodiment of the present invention, theybecome the components which can contribute to lighting finally. In thisway, in the third embodiment of the present invention, because the lightsource 1 is confined nearly completely in the concavity 6 of thebulk-shaped lens 20, including stray light components emitted from thelight source 1, all output lights can effectively contribute tolighting.

In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the thirdembodiment of the present invention, without needing large number oflight source, desired light flux at irradiation area is obtained aslight beam contributing to lighting, and desired illumination intensitycan be easily achieved. This illumination intensity cannot be achievedby an optical system of the earlier known optical lenses. In this way,according to the light-emitting unit of the third embodiment of thepresent invention, the illumination intensity which cannot be predictedat all by earlier technical common sense can be achieved in the simpleconfiguration as shown in FIG. 13. As is apparent from the comparisonbetween FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in order to obtain the focusing property ofsame level of the present invention, in the case using an earlier convexlens, even the convex lens having diameter two times larger than thecylinder portion diameter of the bulk-shaped lens of the presentinvention 20 is insufficient, and parallelism of the beam is notprovided with the convex lens having diameter around three times largereither. That is to say, it can be concluded that miniaturization morethan ⅓ is achieved.

When, as materials of the bulk-shaped lens 20 for the light-emittingunit of the third embodiment of the present invention, in view of thegeneration of heat by the light source (incandescent lamp) 1, aheat-resisting optical material is preferred. As the heat-resistingoptical materials, heat-resisting glass such as quartz glass, sapphireglass are preferable. Or, heat-resisting optical materials ofheat-resisting resins such as a polysulfone resin, a polyethersulfoneresin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyeter ester amide resin, methacrylicresin, an amorphous polyolefin resin, polymeric materials havingperfluoroalkyl radix can be employed. Even a crystalline material of SiCis preferable. In addition, because generation of heat is notaccompanied, when a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LEDis used as the light source 1, we can employ weak heat-resisting resinsuch as acryl resin.

Fourth Embodiment

By the way, a high-insulating sapphire substrate is used as epitaxialgrowth substrate of GaN, GaN is generally known as a material of blueLED. Because of this high-insulating sapphire substrate, the anode andcathode electrodes of Ga N blue LED are usually extracted together tothe front face side of the Ga N epitaxial growth layer. Because thissapphire substrate is transparent to wavelength of blue LED, dependingon the configurations of packages for the blue LEDs, luminescence fromthe blue LED can be extract from the rear surface direction of thesubstrate (FIG. 13, right direction). However, in the light-emittingunit of above mentioned embodiments of the present invention such asshown in FIG. 13, the configuration so as to take advantage ofluminescence from the rear surface direction of substrate (the rightdirection) was not considered positively.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, a light-emitting unit of the fourthembodiment of the present invention embraces a semiconductorlight-emitting element 1 and a bulk-shaped lens 25. And, thisbulk-shaped lens 25 encompasses a bulk-shaped lens body 4 having a topsurface 3, a bottom surface facing to the top surface and a contoursurface and a well-shaped concavity 6 implemented in the inside of thelens body 4, the concavity 6 being dug toward the top surface 3 from thebottom surface. A ceiling surface of the concavity 6 arranged at aninterior of the lens body 4 serves as a first lens surface (an entrancesurface) 2, a top surface of a lens body serves as a second lens surface(an exit surface) 3, inside of the concavity serves as a storing cavity6 of light source 1. And, at bottom surface of the lens body 4, a backmirror 31 is formed. The back mirror 31 is extended to a part of thecontour surface of bulk-shaped lens 25. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, althoughthe back mirror 31 covers a part of the contour surface of bulk-shapedlens 25, it may be possible to cover almost entire surface of thecontour surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25. The back mirror 31 may beshaped by lathe/milling machine using metal such as Al, brass, stainlessinto geometry shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, or it may be molded by pressworking machines, and after that the face is polished. Furthermore, itis preferable that nickel (Ni) plating and gold (Au) plating are givento these surfaces, because reflectivity can be improved. As a low costand simple manner, the configuration in which a high reflectivitymetallic thin film such as Al thin film is bonded to the contour surfaceof the bulk-shaped lens can be employed. Or, the configuration in whichthermoplastic is processed into the geometry shown in FIGS. 14A and 14Bby extrusion or injection molding, and the metallic thin film havinghigh reflectivity such as Al foil, or dielectric multilayer films isdeposited on the surface by vacuum evaporation or sputtering, or eventhe configuration in which the high reflectivity polyester white film isadhesively bonded on the surface can be employed. Furthermore,configuration in which the high reflectivity metallic thin film or thedielectric multilayer films is directly deposited on the bottom surfaceof the bulk-shaped lens 25 by vacuum evaporation or sputtering, theconfiguration in which the high reflectivity metallic thin film isplated, or the configuration in which these composite films aredeposited can implement the back mirror 31. In this case, thin film ofvarious kinds of thickness of 50 nm to 20 μm level can be employed asthe back mirror 31.

The semiconductor light-emitting element 1 shown in FIGS. 14A and 4B isa molded LED 1, which embraces, a first pin 11, an LED chip 13 insertedin a hollow portion of a pedestal ring connected to the first pin 11,the LED chip 13 is fixed at the edge, a resin mold 14 encapsulating theLED chip 13, and a second pin 12 facing to the first pin 11. In the backmirror 31, holes are opened so as to penetrate the first pin 11 and thesecond pin 12, configured such that the back mirror 31 does not causethe electrical short-circuit failure between the first pin 11 and thesecond pin 12. Because the central portion of the pedestal ringconnected to the first pin 11 is hollow, the LED chip 13 can execute thedouble sided luminescence oparatin, in which the luminescences areextracted from both front and rear surfaces of the LED chip 13 (in FIGS.14A and 14B, the luminescence from the rear surface emits to the rightdirection). A pedestal ring is not required to have the configuration inwhich the ring is completely closed, and even the ring having topologynot closing, such as C-shape, U-shape, can be employed. The importantthing is, any configuration, which can fix a part of the end surface ofLED chip 13, can be employed. A top surface of this molded LED 1 has aconvex-shaped curved surface as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. The vicinityof the top surface of resin mold 14 has a convex-shaped curved surfacein this way, and light outputting in the left direction (front sidedirection) from the LED chip 13 has directivity in predetermineddivergence angle. On the other hand, light emitted to the rightdirection (the rear surface side direction) from the LED chip 13 isreflected back at the back mirror 31, and output from the front surfaceof LED chip 13 to the left direction. After all, to the light output tothe right direction of LED chip 13 (rear surface side direction), apredetermined divergence angle is given by a curved surface, or theconvex-shaped top surface.

For example, apart from the convex-shaped curved surface, the molded LED1 is a cylinder configuration having diameter (outside diameter) 2-3mm^(φ). A side wall portion of the concavity of bulk-shaped lens 25 isidentified by a cylindrical geometry having diameter (inside diameter)2.5-4 mm^(φ) so that it can install the molded LED 1. As shown in FIG.14B and FIG. 15, the molded LED 1 is fixed to the LED holder 16, thehead of the LED holder having a cup geometry, through the LED holder 16,the molded LED 1 and the bulk-shaped lens 25 are fixed each other. TheLED holder 16 may be made of optically transparent material, having highelectrical isolation property. For example, wall thickness of the LEDholder 16, at the part of the cup geometry located between the moldedLED 1 and the concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 25 is around 0.25-0.5mm. And the bulk-shaped lens 25 has almost similar cylinderconfiguration as that of the molded LED 1. Diameter (outside diameter)of cylinder geometry portion of the bulk-shaped lens 25 is 10-30 mm^(φ).Diameter (outside diameter) of the bulk-shaped lens 25 can be chosendepending on purposes of the light-emitting unit of the fourthembodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it can be less than 10mm^(φ), and even more than 30 mm^(φ). But, it is preferable to choosethe geometrical configuration of the bulk-shaped lens 20 such that itsatisfies the already described Eqs. (1)-(3) or Eq. (6), of course.

The LED holder 16 can be made into a single piece with the back mirror31 as shown in FIG. 15, for example, and if the molded LED 1 is insertedin this back mirror built-in LED holder 16, the assembly process of thelight-emitting unit of the fourth embodiment of the present inventioncan be simplified. In the back mirror built-in LED holder 16 shown inFIG. 15, at the LED holder 16 disposed in a central portion, twothrough-holes for letting the first pin 11 and the second pin 12 gothrough are dug. The through-holes continue to the through-holes made inthe above-mentioned back mirror 31. And by inserting the first pin 11and the second pin 12 in these two through-holes, the molded LED 1 isfixed to the LED holder 16. The LED holder 16 can be made of transparentmaterials such as epoxy resin, having refractive index same asrefractive index n₁ of the molded LED 1, or can be made of transparentmaterials having refractive index same as refractive index n₂of thebulk-shaped lens 25. Or it may be made of transparent material havingdifferent refractive index from all of refractive index n₁ andrefractive index n₂. At all events, the LED holder 16 can be made of theoptical material transparent to wavelength of light emitted from themolded LED 1. As the bulk-shaped lens 25, transparent plastic materials,glass materials, crystalline materials can be employed, and resin ofcolored or resin including luminescence material can also be employed.

Among them, thermoplastics such as acryl resin or polyvinyl chlorideresin are preferable materials for mass-producing the bulk-shaped lens25. That is to say, die is made once, and if this die does extrusion orinjection molding, the bulk-shaped lens 25 can easily implemented withmass production.

In a general molded LED, light emitted from a place aside from theconvex-shaped curved surface of resin mold 14 does not contribute tolighting, and it becomes so-called stray light components. However, inthe fourth embodiment of the present invention, the molded LED 1 isnearly completely confined in the concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 25,and because, in bottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25, the backmirror 31 is disposed, all these stray light components can be outputfrom the top surface, serving as the luminescence surface, finally.Therefore, all stray light components contribute to lightingeffectively. That is to say, if we pay attention to the concavity, theinner wall portion 5 of the concavity aside from a ceiling surfaceserves as an entrance surface of effective light, the stray lightcomponent which transmitted through the inner wall portion 5 isreflected back at the back mirror 31, and it can be output from theluminescence surface side finally. In addition, components of lightreflected back at each interfaces repeat multiple reflections in variousdirections between the concavity of the molded LED 1 and the bulk-shapedlens 25, such that they become stray light components. By an opticalsystem of the earlier known optical lenses, these stray light componentscannot be extracted so as to contribute to lighting. However, thesestray light components are confined in the inside of the concavity inthe fourth embodiment of the present invention, and they are reflectedback at the back mirror 31 in the inside, and are guided to the topsurface side which serves as the luminescence surface. As a result, allthese stray light components are output finally from the luminescencesurface.

As the result, not depended upon the extraction efficiency ascribable tothe geometry of the resin mold 14 nor return components between theoptical systems, it becomes possible to extract inherent light energyfrom the LED chip 13, with efficiency approximately equal to internalquantum efficiency.

In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the fourthembodiment of the present invention, desired light flux at irradiationarea is achieved as light beam contributing to lighting, withoutrequiring large number of the molded LED 1, so that desired illuminationintensity can be easily obtained. This illumination intensity cannot beachieved by an optical system of the earlier known optical lenses.Therefore, the illumination intensity of the same level as achieved bycommercially available slender body flashlight using halogen lamp can berealized with only single LED. In this way, according to thelight-emitting unit of the fourth embodiment of the present invention,the illumination intensity which cannot be predicted at all by earliertechnical common sense can be realized by simple configuration as shownin FIGS. 14A and 14B.

In addition, when three pieces of LED chips including the red (R), green(G) and blue (B) chips were stacked, by adjusting each emissionintensities of lights from red (R) green (G) and blue (B) chips, and bymixing them, all color in visible light band spectrum can be generated.In this case, actually, there may be the case that color phaseirregularity occurs by dispersion on manufacturing process, but, byreflecting back each of lights emitted from red (R) green (G) and blue(B) LED chips at the back mirror 31, and by mixing them so that we cantake balance of every color, the technical advantage that we can cancelthe color phase irregularity is achieved.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 16A shows a schematic bird's eye view of a light-emitting unit ofthe fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16B showscorresponding cross-sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, alight-emitting unit of fifth embodiment of the present inventionembraces at least a plurality of diode chips 81,82,83,84, . . . , eachemitting light of predetermined wavelength, and a bulk-shaped lens 20nearly completely installing the plurality of diode chips 81,82,83,84, .. . To be concrete, diodes chip 81,82,83,84, . . . are molded indisc-shaped packages, respectively (in the following, these LED chips81,82,83,84, . . . molded in the disc-shaped packages are called as “thedisc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . ”). And, the bulk-shaped lens 20embraces a lens body made of transparent material to wavelength of lightemitted from the plurality of diode chips, which is identified by anentrance surface 2, an exit surface 3 emitting the light incident fromthe entrance surface 2, the transparent material connecting the entrancesurface 2 and the exit surface 3. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, thebulk-shaped lens 20 has geometry of a bullet-shape, identified by acontour surface of cylinder and a top surface of hemispheric.Furthermore, the bullet-shaped bulk-shaped lens 20 has a concavity,installing the disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . This concavity isidentified by a entrance surface 2 and a sidewall portion formed insuccession with the entrance surface 2. That is to say, the ceilingsurface of the concavity serves as the entrance surface 2. In FIGS. 16Aand 16B, the concavity is identified by a bullet-shaped geometry,defined by a cylinder-shaped contour surface and a hemispheric ceilingsurface. Inside diameter of the cylinder defining the contour surface ofthe concavity may be around 2 mm-6.5 mm. On the other hand, outsidediameter of the cylinder defining the contour surface of the bulk-shapedlens 20 can be chosen around 10 mm-50 mm. Difference between outsidediameter 2Ro of the cylinder defining the contour surface of thebulk-shaped lens 20 and inside diameter r of the cylinder defining thecontour surface of the concavity, or the wall thickness can be chosensuch as same level of the inside diameter r of the cylinder defining thecontour surface of the concavity, or it can be chosen larger than aroundtwo to three times of the inside diameter r. Preferably, the geometricalconfiguration of the bulk-shaped lens 20 should satisfy the alreadydescribed Eqs. (1)-(3) or Eq. (6).

In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . aredisposed on a film substrate 33, formed in a bullet-shape. In FIGS. 16Aand 16B, although it is shown as if there is a gap between the entrancesurface 2, corresponding to the ceiling surface of concavity, and theplural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . , it is preferable that theplural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . are disposed so as to contactwith the entrance surface 2, because bright luminescence is obtained bythe configuration. The film substrate 33 can be flexible organicmaterials. For example, thin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thin filmor polyimide film having thickness of 25 μm-50 μm level can be employedas material of the film substrate 33. On the surface of film substrate33, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, aluminum (Al) interconnections221,222,223,224,225, . . . having thickness of 5 μm-15 μm level aredelineated. Al interconnections 221,222,223, . . . are delineated byetching method, after the Al thin film is deposited on the entiresurface of the film substrate 33. The Al interconnections 221,222,223, .. . may be delineated by screen printing method. Then, aperture portionsare formed in the Al interconnections 221,222,223, . . . periodically atpredetermined points so as to expose the surface of the film substrate33, by patterning of the Al thin film. These aperture portions serve asrectangular aperture portions for mounting the disc-shaped LEDs201,202,203, . . . As shown in FIG. 17B, in respective disc-shaped LEDs201,202,203, . . . , LED chips 301,302,303,304, . . . are disposed inthe inside of corresponding ceramic packages 311,312,313,314, . . .respectively. The disc-shaped LEDs 201,202,203, . . . and the Alinterconnections 221,222,223, . . . , are mutually connected by solders211 a, 211 b, 212 a, 212 b, 213 a, 213 b. And each of two endpoints ofAl interconnections 221,222,223, . . . are connected to the first pin 11and the second pin 12, respectively. As shown in FIG. 16B, pluraldisc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . are molded in the inside of theconcavity implemented in the bulk-shaped lens 20 by resin 14.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, because pluraldisc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . are confined nearly completely inthe concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 20, every output light components,including stray light components, emitted from the semiconductor chipsbecome possible to contribute to lighting effectively. That is to say,inner wall portion of the concavity, aside from the entrance surface 2(the ceiling surface), can serve as the effective entrance surface oflight. In addition, components of light reflected back at eachinterfaces repeats multiple reflections between plural disc-shaped LEDs81,82,83,84, . . . and the concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 20, so thatthey become stray light components. By an optical system using theearlier known optical lenses, these stray light components cannot beextracted so as to contribute to lighting. However, because these straylight components beings confined in the inside of the concavity in thefifth embodiment of the present invention, they become the componentscontributing to lighting finally. As the result, not depended uponextraction efficiency ascribable to geometry of resin mold (plastic sealfield) 14 nor return components between optical systems, it becomespossible to extract inherent light energies from plural disc-shaped LEDs81,82,83,84, . . . so as to achieve efficiency which is approximatelyequal to internal quantum efficiency.

In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the fifthembodiment of the present invention, desired light flux at theirradiation area, as light beam contributing to lighting, withoutrequiring large number of disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . , isachieved, and desired illumination intensity can be easily obtained aswell. This illumination intensity cannot be achieved by optical systemof the earlier known optical lenses. In addition, as plural disc-shapedLEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . for the light-emitting unit of the fifthembodiment of the present invention, various kinds of LEDs havingvarious color (wavelength) can be employed. But, for lighting purposesuch as for example a flashlight, the white LED is preferred, describedin the first embodiment, because the white LED is natural to an eye ofhuman. That is to say, using white LEDs as the plural disc-shaped LEDs81,82,83,84, . . . shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, and if we prepare abattery case and a battery (an AA battery, for example) installed inthis battery case so as to apply predetermined voltage to the pluraldisc-shaped white LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . , a slender body flashlight ofpen type (portable lighting equipment) is completed. The configuration,in which anode and cathode of this battery are connected to each ofelectrodes of the plural disc-shaped white LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . , ispreferable. As a result, by the simple configuration, the flashlight(the portable lighting equipment) can be manufactured at low cost.Because it is superior in stability and reliability for a long term, andin particular this flashlight (the portable lighting equipment)dissipates low power, lifetime of battery is long.

As the bulk-shaped lens 20 for the light-emitting unit of the fifthembodiment of the present invention, a glass material, a transparenceplastic material, a crystalline material, which are described in thefirst embodiment, can be employed. Among them, transparent plasticmaterials such as acryl resin are preferable for materials for thebulk-shaped lens 20, because they are suited for mass production. Thatis to say, if die is made once, using this die, so as to ease the massproduction, we can mold large number of the bulk-shaped lens 20.

Plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . may be connected in series asshown in FIG. 18, or they may be connected in parallel as shown in FIG.19. In case of the series connection, it is preferable that a currentlimiting circuit 812 and a drive circuit 811 are employed to beconnected in series so that excess current is limited to flow into theplural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . In case of parallelconnection, respective LEDs, or the D₁, D₂, . . . , D_(n-1), D_(n),should be connected to corresponding current limiting resistors R₁, R₂,. . . , R_(n-l), R_(n) in series, respectively, and the supply voltageis supplied through the drive circuit 811 to respective LEDs.

A high-insulating sapphire substrate is used as an epitaxial growthsubstrate of gallium nitride (GaN) based semiconductor material. Becauseof this insulating substrate, the anode and cathode electrodes of theblue LED is usually extracted together from the front surface side ofthe epitaxial growth layer of the GaN based semiconductor material.Because this sapphire substrate is transparent to wavelength of blueLED, if design of predetermined optics such as using transparentmaterial at the bottom surface of the disc type package, and mountingthe blue LED on the transparent material, luminescence from blue LED canbe extracted to the rear surface direction of the substrate. In thiscase, as shown in FIG. 20, it is preferable to arrange a back mirror 31at bottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25. In FIG. 20, although theback mirror 31 covers almost entirely the contour surface of thebulk-shaped lens 25, only a part of the contour surface of thebulk-shaped lens 25 may be covered, or the formation on the contoursurface may be omitted. Back mirror 31 may be formed by shaping themetal such as Al, brass, stainless using lathe/milling machine etc. tothe geometry shown in FIG. 20, or molded by press working machines, andthe surface is polished, afterwards. Furthermore, it is preferred, ifnickel (Ni) plating and gold (Au) plating are given to the surface so asto improve reflectivity. As a low cost and simple method, theconfiguration in which metallic thin film of high reflectivity such asAl thin film is bonded to the surface can be employed. Or, theconfiguration in which thermoplastic may be formed into the geometryshown in FIG. 20, by extrusion or injection molding, and highreflectivity metallic thin film such as the Al foil or high reflectivitydielectric multilayer film may be deposited on the surface by vacuumevaporation or sputtering, or even the configuration in which highreflectivity polyester white film is adhesively bonded on the surfacecan be employed. Furthermore, the configuration in which the highreflectivity metallic thin film or dielectric multilayer film isdirectly deposited to the bottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25, byvacuum evaporation or sputtering, or the configuration in whichcomposite films embracing these films are deposited on the surface canbe employed.

Plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . of FIG. 20 are mount on thefilm substrate 33, same as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, and are connectedto the first pin 11 and the second pin 12 by the Al interconnections. InFIG. 20, although it is shown as if there is a gap between the entrancesurface 2 identified by the ceiling surface of the concavity and theplural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . it is preferable such thatthese plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . are contacted to theentrance surface 2, so as to obtain bright luminescence. Holes areformed at the back mirror 31 such that the first pin 11 and the secondpin 12 can penetrate through the holes, because the configuration, inwhich the first pin 11 and the second pin 12 are not electricallyshort-circuited by the back mirror 31, is considered. If we made thefilm substrate 33, formed into the bullet-shaped, by transparentmaterial, and the resin 14 filled in the inside of the bullet-shapedfilm substrate 33 is also made by the transparence material,luminescence from plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . propagatesto the rear surface direction (in FIG. 20, to the right direction).Lights from the plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . , directingto the right direction (the rear surface side direction) are reflectedback at the back mirror 31, and they are output from the front surfaceof the plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . to the left direction.Lights output to the right direction of the plural disc-shaped LEDs81,82,83,84, . . . (the rear surface side direction) are, after all,merged into the light which propagates to the front surface direction(in FIG. 20, to the left direction), and predetermined divergence angleis given by the exit surface 3. In this way, in the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention, since the plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84, .. . are nearly completely confined in the concavity of the bulk-shapedlens 25, and at the bottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25 the backmirror 31 is disposed, all these stray light components can be outputfinally from the top surface, serving as the luminescence surface.Therefore, all stray light components become possible to contribute tolighting effectively. That is to say, if the concavity is considered,since inner wall portion of the concavity aside from the entrancesurface 2 can serves as the effective entrance surface of light, and thestray light components transmitted through the inner wall portion arereflected back at the back mirror 31, and they can be output from theluminescence surface side finally. In addition, the components whichrepeat the multiple reflections at each interfaces between the concavityof the bulk-shaped lens 25 and the plural disc-shaped LEDs 81,82,83,84,. . . are confined in the inside of the concavity, and they arereflected back at the back mirror 31, they are led to the top surfaceserving as the luminescence surface. As a result, all these multiplereflection components are output finally from the luminescence surface.

In this way, according to the light-emitting unit of the fifthembodiment of the present invention, desired light flux at theirradiation area is obtained as the light beam contributing to lighting,without requiring extremely large number of disc-shaped LEDs81,82,83,84, . . . , and desired illumination intensity can be easilyobtained as well. This illumination intensity is not achieved by theoptical system of the earlier known optical lenses.

Sixth Embodiment

In the light-emitting unit of the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention, a case in which plural diode chips 81,82,83,84, . . . aremolded in disc-shaped packages respectively is explained, but, in statesof bare-chips, they may be disposed on the film substrate 33 formed intothe bullet-shape.

The state of bare-chip is preferred, because the bare-chips can bedisposed more closely mutually. That is to say, in the description of alight-emitting unit of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, aconcrete configuration in which plural LEDs 81,82,83,84, . . . in thestates of bare-chips are disposed on the film substrate 33 formed intothe bullet-shape, as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, is explained. Becausethe configuration of the bulk-shaped lens 25 is same as theconfiguration of the light-emitting unit of the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention, and the overlapped description is omitted.

The LED chip, as shown in FIG. 21, encompasses an n-type semiconductorlayer 402, an active layer 403, a p-type semiconductor layer 404disposed on the sapphire (Al₂O₃) substrate 401, through a buffer layer(the illustration is omitted). The sapphire (Al₂O₃) substrate 401 isfixed to the film substrate 33 by adhesives 502. Anode electrode 405 canbe disposed on the entire surface of the top face of the p-typesemiconductor layer 404. For improving an ohmic contact characteristicbetween the anode electrode 405 and the p-type semiconductor layer 404,it is desirable to insert a contact layer made of a GaN based p-typesemiconductor (the illustration is omitted) between the anode electrode405 and the p-type semiconductor layer 404. The anode electrode 405 maybe made of a transparent electrode layer to luminescence from the activelayer 403. To be concrete, metallic oxide such as tin (Sn) doped indiumoxide (ITO) and tin oxide (SnO₂) can be employed. Or, metal layer may beformed into thinly enough so that it can serve as transparent electrodelayer 405. Cathode electrode 406 serving as another electrode layer isnot required, in particular, to be transparence. A bonding pad portionis arranged on a part of the anode electrode 405, and beam lead 512 madeof copper (Cu) foil is connected to the bonding pad portion. Beam lead511 made of the copper foil is connected to the cathode electrode 406likewise. Beam leads 511,512 are connected to Al interconnections221,222 through electrically conductive adhesives layer 501respectively.

LED chip may be assembled using solder balls 411,412 as shown in FIG.22, in flip-chip configuration. In FIG. 22, the anode electrode 405 isconnected to the Al interconnection 221 through the solder ball 411, andthe cathode electrode 406 is connected to the Al interconnection 222through solder ball 412. If the film substrate 33 is made of transparentsubstrate, the light can propagate to two directions of front and rearsurface directions.

The light, which is emitted to rear surface direction reflects back atthe back mirror 31 same as FIG. 20, and is returned to front surfacedirection.

Seventh Embodiment

In the light-emitting units of the fifth and sixth embodiments of thepresent invention, plural diode chips 81,82,83,84, . . . are disposed onthe surface of the film substrate 33, which is formed into thebullet-shape, or they are arranged, so to speak, in quasi-planartopology (quasi-two dimensionally). In this case, because there areplural optical axes of the plural output lights corresponding torespective diode chips in reality, there is a case in which it becomesdifficult to regard the plural diode chips 81,82,83,84, . . . as a pointlight source. In the light-emitting unit of the seventh embodiment ofthe present invention, plural diode chips 61,62,63, . . . are verticallystacked, as shown in FIG. 23, so that plural optical axes are mergedinto a single line. “The principal surfaces” are mutually facing twoparallel planes, as already stated, and are parallel with respective p-njunction interfaces of diode chips 81,82,83,84, . . . . FIG. 24 shows indetail the stacked configuration embracing plural diode chips 61,62,63,. . . Three levels of stacked layers are shown in the drawing forsimplification, but multi-level structure more than four levels can beadopted, of course. In FIG. 24, the first level diode tip (the firstlevel LED) 61 encompasses, an n type semiconductor layer 612, an activelayer 613 and a p-type semiconductor layer 614 stacked on the sapphiresubstrate 611. The sapphire substrate 611 is fixed to a susceptor 64 byadhesives 602. An anode electrode 615 can be formed on the entiresurface of the top face of the p-type semiconductor layer 614. A centralportion of the anode electrode 615 may be made of a transparentelectrode layer to the luminescence from the active layer 613. Aframe-shaped peripheral portion of the anode electrode 615 is made of arelatively thick gold (Au) thin film having the thickness of 0.5 μm-2 μmlevel for bonding. A cathode electrode 616 is not required to betransparence, in particular. TAB lead (beam lead) 617 made of copper(Cu) foil is connected to the frame-shaped peripheral portion of theanode electrode 615. TAB lead (beam lead) 618 made of the copper foil isalso connected to the cathode electrode 616. A second level diode chip(second level LED) 62 encompasses an n type semiconductor layer 622, anactive layer 623 and a p-type semiconductor layer 624 stacked on thesapphire substrate 621. The sapphire substrate 621 is fixed on the firstlevel diode tip 61 by transparent adhesives 605. An anode electrode 625can be formed on the entire surface of the top face of the p-typesemiconductor layer 624. A central portion of the anode electrode 625may be made of a transparent electrode layer to the luminescence fromthe active layer 623. A frame-shaped peripheral portion of the anodeelectrode 625 is made of a relatively thick gold (Au) thin film havingthickness of 0.5 μm-2 μm level for bonding. A cathode electrode 626 isnot required to be transparent, in particular. TAB lead (beam lead) 627made of copper (Cu) foil is connected to the frame-shaped peripheralportion of the anode electrode 625. TAB lead (beam lead) 628 made ofcopper foil is also connected to the cathode electrode 626. Likewise, athird level diode chip (third level LED) 63 encompasses an typesemiconductor layer 632, an active layer 633 and a p-type semiconductorlayer 634 stacked on the sapphire substrate 631. The sapphire substrate631 is fixed on the second level diode chip 62 by transparent adhesives606. An anode electrode 635 can be formed on the almost entire surfaceof the top surface of the p-type semiconductor layer 634. A centralportion of the anode electrode 635 can be made of a transparentelectrode layer to luminescence from the active layer 633. Aframe-shaped peripheral portion of the anode electrode 635 is made ofrelatively thick gold (Au) thin film of 0.5 μm-2 μm level for bonding. Acathode electrode 636 is not required to be transparence, in particular.TAB lead (beam lead) 637 made of copper (Cu) foil is connected to theframe-shaped peripheral portion of the anode electrode 635. TAB lead(beam lead) 638 made of copper foil is also connected to the cathodeelectrode. For joints between TAB leads (beam leads)617,627,637,618,628,638 and bonding pads 615,625,635,616,626,636, we canuse the techniques usually used as TAB bonding technique such as thermocompression bonding, ultrasonic bonding, gold (Au) bump joints, solderjoints. In addition, TAB leads (beam leads) 617,627,637 are connected toa terminal 603 by electrically conductive adhesives or solders etc. TABlead (beam lead) 618,628,638 are connected to terminal 604 byelectrically conductive adhesives or solders etc. Resin seal 608 moldsplural diode chips 61,62,63.

As shown in FIG. 23, the terminal 603 is connected to the second pin 12,and the terminal 604 is connected to the first pin 11. The terminal 603and the terminal 604 are drawn to outside from the through holes formedin the back mirror 31 through a strengthening member 65. If the resin 14filled in the concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 25 is made oftransparent material to luminescence from plural diode chips 61,62,63,the lights can propagate to the rear surface direction (FIG. 23, rightdirection). Lights emitted from the plural diode chips 61,62,63 to theright direction (rear surface side direction) are reflected back at theback mirror 31, and are output to left direction from the front surfacesof plural diode chips 61,62,63.

After all, light emitted from the plural diode chips 61,62,63 to theright direction (rear surface side direction) are merged with the lightpropagating to the front surface direction (FIG. 23, left direction),and predetermined divergence angle is given by the exit surface 3. Inthis way, in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, pluraldiode chips 61,62,63 are confined nearly completely in the concavity ofthe bulk-shaped lens 25, and the back mirror 31 is arranged at thebottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 25. Because of this, includingthe stray light components, all lights emit finally from the topsurface, serving as the luminescence surface, so that they can bepropagated along approximately same optical axis. Therefore, allluminescence components emitted from diode chips 61,62,63 to variousdirections are effectively collimated so that they can contribute tolighting.

Plural diode chips 61,62,63, . . . are not required to be the same LEDchip. That is to say, as the plural diode chips 61,62,63, . . . ,various kinds and configurations can be employed. For example, as pluraldiode chips 61,62,63, if three pieces of LED chips including the red (R)green (G) and blue (B) chips are stacked vertically, as a whole, anoutput light of white can be achieved. In the case of three pieces ofLED chips including the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) chips, as thered (R) LED chip, Al_(x)Ga_(1-x)As, as the green (G) LED chip,Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)P or GaP, and as blue (B) LED chip,In_(x)Ga_(1-x)N or ZnSe can be employed. In this case, Al_(x)Ga_(1-x)As,Al_(x)Ga_(y)In_(1-x-y)P, GaP do not require the sapphire substrate.

Or ternary, quaternary, quinary, . . . compound semiconductor mixedcrystal are chosen as the materials for plural diode chips 61,62,63, . .. , in which mole fractions may be changed. For example, if we chooseplural diode chips 61,62,63, . . . made of In_(x)Al_(y)Ga_(1-x-y)Nchanging each of mole fractions, we can emit light in green (G)-blue (B)spectral range. Furthermore, there is a disadvantage that an opticalaxis may disperse, first stack embracing vertically laminated pluraldiode chips, second stack embracing vertically laminated plural diodechips, and third stack embracing vertically laminated plural diode chipsmay be disposed on a bullet-shaped susceptor in the quasi-planartopology. In this case brightness of 3*3=9 times can be obtained. Iffive diode chip stacks, each having three level laminated layers arearranged in the quasi-planar topology, brightness of 3*5=15 times can beobtained.

Eighth Embodiment

A plurality of the light-emitting units explained one of the first toseventh embodiments can be arranged so as to provide a lightingequipment. In this case, one-dimensional, two-dimensional orthree-dimensional arrangement is possible. In addition, as “the lightsource” of lighting equipment (lighting apparatus), an incandescentlamp, a small discharge tube, an electrodeless discharge lamp, asemiconductor light-emitting element can be adopted. The incandescentlamp may includes halogen lamps such as an iodine (I₂)-tungsten lamp, axenon (Xe)-tungsten lamp (xenon lamp), which may be called as “aBilliken lump”, a krypton (Kr)-tungsten lamp (krypton lamp), which isalso called as “the Billiken lump”, and a miniature lamp with a vacuumevacuated tube or argon gas charged tube, the miniature lamp may becalled “the nipple bulb” or “the spot bulb”.

Furthermore, a miniature lamp such as a halogen miniature bulb isincluded in the incandescent lamp. As the small discharge tube, otherthan a fluorescence discharge tube, a small xenon lamp, a small metalhalide lamp, a small size high-pressure sodium lamp, and a small sizemercury lamp can be employed. As the electrodeless discharge lamp, theconfiguration in which the discharge media is charged in a bulb made ofquartz glass, the discharge media including the noble gas such as argon(Ar), neon (Ne), xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr), with metal halide such asgallium (Ga), indium (In), thallium (Tl), and further mercury (Hg), zinc(Zn), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te) can be employed. And, ifmicrowave of, for example, 100 MHz-2.45 GHz is applied to this bulb, thedischarge medium discharges, and it emits light. For miniaturization,the microwave is preferable to be radiated from a transistor oscillatingcircuit. As the semiconductor light-emitting element, light emittingdiode (LED) and a semiconductor laser can be employed.

The semiconductor light-emitting element such as the LED has thecharacteristic of long life with low power consumption, but, in general,compared with the incandescent lamp such as the halogen lamp, theillumination intensity is low. Therefore, if a plurality (n pieces) ofthe semiconductor light-emitting elements D₁, D₂, . . . , D_(n) arecombined together so that they can simultaneously emit, desiredbrightness can be achieved. In order to make the plurality of thesemiconductor light-emitting elements D₁, D₂, . . . , D_(n) emit lightsimultaneously, a control circuit is preferable to encompasses arectifier circuit rectifying commercial alternating current, a currentlimiting element (fixed resistor) connected to the rectifier circuit, asmoothing circuit connected to the current limiting element, and aconstant current element (or a constant current circuit) connected tothe smoothing circuit. For example, a series circuit ofn-pieces-semiconductor light-emitting elements D₁, D₂, . . . , D_(n) areshown, but the plural semiconductor light-emitting elements may beconnected in parallel. A series connection of the semiconductorlight-emitting elements (LEDs) of around 50 is preferable, because DCvoltage of around 130V, which is obtained rectifying the commercialalternating current, can be just used, and the simplification ofcircuitry becomes easy. In order to make around 100 LEDs emit lightsimultaneously, it is preferable to make two 50-pieces-series circuitsconnected in parallel. The number of LEDs implementing the seriesconnection can be chosen depending on the operating voltage.

To be concrete, as shown in FIG. 25, the lighting equipment embracesplural bullet-like bulk-shaped lenses 20 a, 20 b, . . . , 20 f, . . .disposed adjacently each other, plural light sources (LEDs) 1 a, 1 b, .. . , 1 f, . . . , respective main luminescence portions of the lightsources (LEDs) 1 a, 1 b, . . . , 1 f, . . . are installed in the insideof well-shaped concavities implemented in the plural bulk-shaped lens 20a, 20 b, . . . , 20 f, an optical-lens-fastening means (anoptical-lens-fastening plate) 72 fixing plural bulk-shaped lens 20 a, 20b, . . . , 20 f, and a control circuit electrically connectedrespectively to the plural light sources (LEDs) 1 a, 1 b, . . . , 1 f, .. . , the control circuit disposed in the vicinities of theoptical-lens-fastening means 72. Here, a configuration of each of pluralbullet-like bulk-shaped lenses 20 a, 20 b, . . . , 20 f, . . . are shownin FIG. 1. In FIG. 25, the control circuit is disposed on a circuitboard 966, and is installed in the inside of a control circuit housing965. For example, this control circuit embraces a rectifier circuit, acurrent limiting element, a smoothing circuit, and a constant currentelement, etc. The circuit board 966 and the control circuit housing 965are received in the inside of a cone-shaped isolation case 963. And, theoptical-lens-fastening means 72 is fixed with fixing-metals 73 a, 73 b,. . . to the isolation case 963. Furthermore, the circuit board 966 isfixed with fixing-metals 71 a, 71 b, . . . to the optical-lens-fasteningmeans 72. From each of the LEDs, serving as the light sources 1 a, 1 b,. . . , 1 f, . . . , couple of pins appear respectively (cf. FIG. 1.)The respective couples of pins from each of the LEDs are directlysoldered to the circuit board 966, and predetermined currents areapplied to the LEDs from the control circuit, respectively.

An AC-100V-electrode 961 b is connected to the vicinity of the squeezedtop portion of the cone-shaped isolation case 963 as shown in FIG. 25.The AC-100V-electrode 961 b is isolated by an isolation termination 962from an AC-100V-electrode 961 a. An AC-100V-mouthpiece 961 encompassesthe AC-100V-electrodes 961 a, 961 b and the isolation termination 962. Apower supplying lead 964 a is connected to the AC-100V-electrode 961 a,and a power supplying lead 964 b is connected to the AC-100V-electrode961 b, and AC 100V are supplied to the control circuit installed in theinside of the control circuit housing 965 through the power supplyingleads 964 a, 964 b. The LEDs serving as the light sources 1 a, 1 b, . .. , 1 f, . . . of the lighting equipment according to the eighthembodiment of the present invention (the lighting apparatus), can haveconfigurations such as the bullet-shaped (the cannonball-shape) LED asshown in FIG. 25, or the disc-shaped (the surface mount type) LED. TheLEDs of various colors (wavelengths) can be employed. But, for indoorlighting purpose, the white LED is preferable. In addition, plural LEDchips can be disposed on the film substrate 33 formed as thebullet-shape as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, and they may be installed inthe storing cavity 6. When it is used as a light for various decorationpurposes or as an interior illumination light, the lightings of variouscolors become possible, using the outputs of respective LEDs as theyare, each of LEDs emitting various color. Therefore, the cluster oflight sources 1 a, 1 b, . . . , 1 f, . . . may include LEDs havingdifferent luminous colors.

The lighting apparatus (the bulk-shaped lens cluster) shown in FIG. 25is suitable for spotlighting equipment (lighting apparatus), by usingseparately, since it is superior in beam parallelism. For example, ifthree spotlighting equipments, emitting three colors of RGB, areprepared, they can be used in horizont (cyclorama) illumination in astudio of a color TV broadcast. In this case, temperature rise in thestudio can be suppressed, because the heat generation becomes low, byusing LEDs as the light sources 1 a, 1 b, . . . , 1 f, . . .Furthermore, a large reduction of the power consumption is possible, orthe reduction of electric power around 1/100 is achieved. In addition,since high speed color change is possible because time responses of theLEDs are rapid, the lighting apparatus is suitable for the studio of ahigh definition TV broadcast, by using the LEDs as the light sources 1a, 1 b, . . . , 1 f, . . . .

Or, the bulk-shaped lens cluster according to the eighth embodiment ofthe present invention may be attached to a supporting substrate 931 asshown in FIG. 26. That is to say, if the bulk-shaped lens cluster shownin FIG. 25 is attached to the supporting substrate 931 employing asocket pedestal 88, the lens cluster can be turned on/off by theinformation from a sensor 945. Because a mouthpiece 961 is attached to acone-shaped isolation case 963 of the bulk-shaped lens cluster shown inFIG. 25, if the bulk-shaped lens cluster is inserted in the lamp-socketmounted on the socket pedestal 88 disposed at the ceiling, which isidentified as a supporting substrate 931, the lens cluster can be easilyfixed to the supporting substrate 931.

As shown in FIG. 26, a circuitry portion 903 controlling lighting statesof the bulk-shaped lens cluster shown in FIG. 25 is disposed in a rearface of the supporting substrate 931. And the sensor 945 is connected tothe circuitry portion 903. The sensor 945 supplies necessary informationin order to control the lighting states of the bulk-shaped lens cluster.On the supporting substrate 931, a circuit board 941 mounting thecircuitry portion 903 for AC 100V control is attached.

Ninth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 27, a light-emitting unit according to the ninthembodiment of the present invention embraces a bulk-shaped lens 27having at least a top surface serving as a luminescence surface, abottom surface facing to the top surface and a lens body connecting thebottom surface to the top surface, the lens body having the firstrefractive index n₂, a concavity formed from a part of the bottomsurface to the top surface direction, in the inside of the lens body,and an optical path modification portion 35 with second refractive indexn₀ different from the first refractive index n₂ formed inside of thelens body between the top surface and the concavity and a semiconductorlight-emitting element 1 installed in the concavity.

As the optical material implementing the lens body having the firstrefractive index n₂, a transparent plastic material (thermoplastic), aglass material and a crystalline material, etc. can be employed. As anoptical path modification portion having the second refractive index n₀,a hollow space charged with air of refractive index n₀ as shown in FIG.27, or space filled with other solid material can serve. In any case, ifthe optical path modification portion has the second differentrefractive index n₀ different from the first refractive index n₂,because deflection occurs at interface between the portion having thefirst refractive index n₂ and the portion having the second refractiveindex n₀, it is possible to change the propagation direction of theoptical path.

In this way, in the light-emitting unit according to the ninthembodiment of the present invention, because the optical pathmodification portion 35 having the second refractive index n₀ isprovided in the inside of the lens body between the top surface and theconcavity, the optical path modification portion 35 changes propagationdirection of the light emitted from the semiconductor light-emittingelement 1, incident from the ceiling surface of the concavity. In thegeometry of optical path modification portion 35 designed to have themajor axis along the central axis direction of the bulk-shaped lens 27as shown in FIG. 27, if the first refractive index n₂ is lager than thesecond refractive index n₀, the luminous flux density around the centralportion of the luminescence surface becomes low, and the lighting inwhich around the central portion of the optical axis is relatively darkis achieved. If, in the case of similar geometry of optical pathmodification portion 35, if the first refractive index n₂ is smallerthan the second refractive index n₀, the luminous flux density aroundthe central portion of the luminescence surface increases, and thelighting in which around the central portion of the optical axis isrelatively bright is enabled.

A light-emitting unit according to the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention, because it is basically similar to the light-emitting unitaccording to the first embodiment, the overlapped description isomitted.

Turning now to a modification of the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 28, the geometry of optical path modificationportion 36 designed to have the major axis perpendicular to the centralaxis direction of the bulk-shaped lens 28, the converse optical pathmodification occurs, when the optical path modification portion 36 isdisposed between the top surface and the concavity in the inside of thelens body. That is to say, if the first refractive index n₂ is largerthan the second refractive index n₀, the luminous flux density aroundthe central portion of the luminescence surface increases, and thelighting around the central portion of the optical axis is relativelybright is achieved. In the case of similar geometry of the optical pathmodification portion 36, if the first refractive index n₂ is smallerthan the second refractive index n₀, the luminous flux density aroundthe central portion of the luminescence surface becomes low, and thelighting that around the central portion of the optical axis isrelatively dark is achieved.

FIG. 29 shows a schematic view showing a configuration of alight-emitting unit according to another modification of the ninthembodiment of the present invention, in which a back mirror 31 isdisposed at a bottom surface of a bulk-shaped lens 29. In FIG. 29,luminescence component from the rear surface of the LED chip 13 andstray light components are reflected back at back mirror 31, and theyare led to the top surface side serving as a luminescence surface. As aresult, all these stray light components are output finally from theluminescence surface, and extremely high conversion efficiency lightingis achieved, and the regulation of light intensity distribution at theirradiation surface becomes possible.

In addition, the cross-sectional shapes of the optical path modificationportions 35,36,37 in the ninth embodiment of the present invention canhave various geometries other than the double-convex geometry as shownin FIGS. 27, 28 and 29, such as the plano-convex geometry or meniscusgeometry.

Tenth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 30, a light-emitting unit according to tenth embodimentof the present invention embraces a bulk-shaped lens (19 a, 19 b) havingat least a top surface serving as a luminescence surface, a bottomsurface facing to the top surface, a lens body connecting the bottomsurface to the top surface, and a concavity formed from a part of thebottom surface to the top surface, the concavity is implemented in theinside of the lens body, a transmittance-changing means 41 disposedbetween the top surface and the concavity, the transmittance-changingmeans 41 disposed in the inside of the lens body, and a semiconductorlight-emitting element 1 installed in the concavity.

As the transmittance-changing means 41, a mechanical shutter, an iris,or an electric transmittance-changing means such as a liquid crystal canbe employed. In FIG. 30, although the transmittance-changing means 41 isinterposed between the front head portion 19 a and the central portion19 b, depending on purposes, another configuration in which thetransmittance-changing means 41 is embedded in a part of the bulk-shapedlens can be employed. The light-emitting unit according to the tenthembodiment of the present invention is, apart from thetransmittance-changing means 41, basically similar to the light-emittingunit according to the first embodiment, and the overlapped descriptionis omitted,

According to the light-emitting unit according to the tenth embodimentof the present invention, by driving the transmittance-changing means 41with mechanically or electrically, the optical intensity and beamdiameter can be changed freely. When, as the transmittance-changingmeans 41, the liquid crystal is employed, an active matrix implementedby thin film transistors (TFTs) may be disposed in the inside of thetransmittance-changing means 41, and the each of the active matrixelement may be driven with shift registers. When, as thetransmittance-changing means 41, the mechanical shutter, or the iris isused, a mechanical drive system such as micromotors will be disposedadjacent to the bulk-shaped lens (19 a, 19 b).

Although, as the light-emitting unit according to the tenth embodimentof the present invention, the configuration in which the back mirror 31is disposed at the bottom surface of the bulk-shaped lens 27 as shown inFIG. 30, but, another configuration such that there is no back mirror,as for example FIG. 1, can be employed, implementing thetransmittance-changing means 41 in the lens body.

Eleventh Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 31, a light-emitting unit according to the eleventhembodiment of the present invention embraces a bulk-shaped lens 30encompassing having at least a top surface serving as a luminescencesurface, a bottom surface facing to the top surface, a lens bodyconnecting the bottom surface to the top surface, a concavity formedfrom a part of the bottom surface to the top surface direction,implemented in the inside of the lens body, and several scatterers 43formed inside of the lens body between the top surface and theconcavity, and a semiconductor light-emitting element 1 installed in theconcavity.

To implement the scatterers 43, it is preferable to dope metal powderssuch as Al, Au, W, Ti, Mo into the bulk-shaped lens 30 made oftransparence plastic material, a glass material etc., so that the metalpowders coexist with the bulk-shaped lens 30. These metal powders willbe mixed into the bulk-shaped lens 30, when the extrusion or theinjection molding of the thermoplastic such as, for example, acryl resinor polyvinyl chloride resin is executed. The dimension of the scatterers43 are selected such that they are larger than the wavelength of light,and various kinds of dimension are possible, which may include aroundmicron order to several mm order, and any geometries can be adopted.

Although the light-emitting unit of the first embodiment of the presentinvention is suited for the lighting equipment in the application fieldsin which relatively strong light beam with high directivity is required,the light-emitting unit according to the eleventh embodiment makes theillumination intensity directivity weak, and is configured such thatwhole body of the light-emitting unit glitters, and it is suitable forthe lighting equipment providing the beautiful sight. For example, itmay be used as an emergency light or bedside illumination equipment, orit may be used for decorating the interior of the room or the outdoors.To use the feature in which the whole body of the light-emitting unitglimmers by it self, we can increase the diameter or one side length ofthe bulk-shaped lens 30 such as around 5 cm-30 cm, or around 1 m. It ispossible to make such a big bulk-shaped lens to shine by only onesemiconductor light-emitting element 1, and the power consumption isextremely small. For the purpose of decoration, instead of the simpleconfiguration as shown in FIG. 31, more complex topologies includingmiscellaneous unique shapes resembling to animal, tree, or building,etc., can be employed for the bulk-shaped lens 30.

Twelfth Embodiment

If a plurality of light-emitting units related to the first embodimentare arranged, a very bright lighting equipment and display unit can beimplemented. To be concrete, one-dimensional, two-dimensional orthree-dimensional arrangement of the light-emitting units may bepossible. For example, as shown in FIG. 32A, if plural light-emittingunits 1121, . . . , 1131, . . . , 1141, . . . are arrangedtwo-dimensionally in circumstance case 1051, a traffic signal lamp canbe implemented. In this case, employing the plural light-emitting units1121, . . . , 1131, . . . , 1141, . . . installing molded LEDs, in eachof which three pieces of red (R), green (G) and blue (B)double-sides-luminescence LED chips are stacked vertically on atransparent substrate, if each emission intensities of the red (R),green (G) and blue (B) LED chip is adjusted based on predetermined timeschedule, red (R), yellow (Y) and green (G) can be displayed by the samelamp.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 32B, if grooves are cut at the surfaces ofspecific light-emitting units 135,136,144,145,146,147 among plurallight-emitting units 1121, . . . , 1131, . . . , 1141, . . .two-dimensionally arranged, modifications of the optical path and theoptical intensity can be implemented at these portions so that we candisplay predetermined display pattern 1052. For example, an image ofhuman walk can be embossed on two-dimensional array pattern of thetraffic signal lamp at crosswalk.

FIG. 33 is cross-sectional view showing an example of the light-emittingunit, in which a groove is cut on a part of the top surface. That is tosay, a light-emitting unit related to twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention embraces a bulk-shaped lens 18 having at least a top surfaceserving as a luminescence surface, a bottom surface facing to the topsurface, a lens body connecting the bottom surface to the top surface, aconcavity formed from a part of the bottom surface to the top surfacedirection in the inside of the lens body, a groove 55 cut at a part ofthe top surface to the concavity direction in the lens body, and asemiconductor light-emitting element 1 installed in the concavity. Theshape of the groove 55 is not limited to the V-shape as shown in FIG.33, but various cross-sectional shapes such as U-shape and W-shape canbe employed, and the direction and location of the groove can be changeddepending on the contents of information to be displayed. By cases, alarge groove eliminating all of the front surface (the top surface) ofthe bulk-shaped lens 18 can be included here. Except that the groove 55is cut at the top surface of the bulk-shaped lens 18, it is basicallysimilar to the light-emitting unit of the first embodiment, and theoverlapped description is omitted.

By cutting the groove 55 at the top surface of the bulk-shaped lens 18as shown in FIG. 33, and arranging the bulk-shaped lenses in thetwo-dimensional array as shown in FIG. 32B, the modifications of theoptical path and the optical intensity is controlled by the dispositionand the geometry of the groove 55, and predetermined display pattern1052 as shown in FIG. 32B can be easily displayed.

Thirteenth Embodiment

For example, the geometry of the bulk-shaped lens of the presentinvention is not limited to the geometry of the bullet-shape analogyshown in FIG. 1, or the egg-shape (cocoon-shape) analogy shown in FIG.14B, and it is possible to employ a configuration as shown in FIG. 34A,in which the diameter gradually becomes smaller approaching toward thetip portion. By extending the bulk-shaped lens 17 into a long and thintopology as shown in FIG. 34A, the light flux is guided to the tip ofthe bulk-shaped lens 17, similar to the light propagation behaviorobserved in an optical fiber, and we can obtain a finely focused highintensity optical beam from the tip of the bulk-shaped lens 17.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 34B, we can merge the plural bulk-shapedlens 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, . . . into a single bulk-shaped lens 17 z so asto implement an optical mixer. That is to say, if the plural lights fromplural light sources, each installed in each of storing cavities 6 a, 6b, 6 c, are incident to respective entrance surfaces 2 a, 2 b, 2 c,strong synthesized light can be emitted from the exit surface 3 of thebulk-shaped lens 17 z.

14th Embodiment

In addition, as shown in FIG. 35, the top surface serving as theluminescence surface may embrace a first curved surface 7071 and asecond curved surface 7072. We can consider the configuration shown inFIG. 35 as if a part of the optical path modification portion 36 of FIG.28 has been forced out from the top surface of the bulk-shaped lens 28so as to implement a top surface concavity 7073. And as same as FIG. 28,because luminous flux density around the central portion of theluminescence surface increases, the lighting around the central portionof the optical axis is relatively bright is achieved.

15th Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 36A and 36B, a planar-light-emitting unit related to15th embodiment of the present invention embraces at least a pluralityof LEDs 2211,2212,2213, . . . , 2216,2221, . . . , 2226,2231, . . . ,2236 each emits a predetermined wavelength light, a plurality ofbulk-shaped lenses 2111,2112,2113, . . . , 2116, 2121, . . . ,2126,2131, . . . , 2136, each installing a main luminescence portion ofthe respective LED and emitting light of the LED with a constantdirectivity, and a main reflector 2012 made of a plane mirror reflectingback the lights from the plural bulk-shaped lenses, a semitransparentplate 2011 transmitting the lights reflected back at the main reflector,the semitransparent plate is disposed in a configuration having aconstant angle with the main reflector. And, the planar-light-emittingunit related to the 15th embodiment of the present invention encompassesfurther a side reflector (the first side reflector) 2013 between themain reflector 2012 and the semitransparent plate 2011. Although theillustration is omitted, another side reflector (the second sidereflector) is facing to the side reflector 2013. Plural LEDs2211,2212,2213, . . . , 2216,2221 . . . , 2226, 2231, . . . , 2236 arefixed each other by backplate 2015. A triangular prismatic cavity isformed by the main reflector 2012, the semitransparent plate 2011, theside reflector (the first side reflector) 2013, another side reflector(the second side reflector) and backplate 2015. Although theillustration is omitted, the plural LEDs 2211,2212,2213, . . . ,2216,2221, . . . , 2226, 2231, . . . , 2236 are connected to LED socket,and predetermined voltages are applied to the LEDs. In FIGS. 36A and36B, commercial 100V power can drive the LEDs, because these LEDs arearranged in 3*6=18, and if all of the LEDs are connected in series.

As already indicated in FIG. 1, the bulk-shaped lens 2116 for theplanar-light-emitting unit related to the 15th embodiment of the presentinvention, is configured to nearly completely encapsulate the mainluminescence portion of the LED. The concavity implemented in thebulk-shaped lens 2116 installing the main luminescence portion of LED2216 has a ceiling surface identified as the first curved surface.Furthermore, the bulk-shaped lens 2116 embraces a top surface identifiedas the second curved surface emitting the light, facing the first curvedsurface.

The main reflector 2012, the first and second side reflectors areconfigured such that they have polished surfaces of metals such asaluminum (Al), brass, stainless, and etc., and furthermore, nickel (Ni)film and/or gold (Au) film may be plated on the surfaces of them. Or,the configuration in which a high reflectivity metallic thin film suchas Al foil or the high reflectivity polyester white film was bonded tothe surface of resin substrate can be employed. As the semitransparentplate 2011, an opalescent plate such as the resin plate in which whitepulverized coal of high refractive index is dispersed in resin (to beconcrete, such as the methacrylic resin opalescent plate is preferable).Or, the semitransparent plate 2011 may be made of a rough surfacedopalescent plate, a rough surfaced transparent plate, or a molded resinsheet in the configuration embracing a transparent molding material andother light scattering corpuscles are kneaded to the transparent moldingmaterial. Or, the semitransparent plate 2011 may be implemented bysticking a resin film on the surface, on a side or both sides of theresin film is delustered by a rough surface work. Furthermore, thesemitransparent plate 2011 can accept colored or a transparent materialdepending on the luminous color of the LED.

As the bulk-shaped lens 2116 to be used in the planar-light-emittingunit related to the 15th embodiment of the present invention, variouskinds of glass materials, transparent plastic materials, crystallinematerials explained in the first embodiment can be employed, and even acolored resin and resin including luminescence material can be accepted.Among them, transparent plastic materials such as acryl resin arepreferable for mass production of the bulk-shaped lens 2116. That is tosay, die is made once, and if the bulk-shaped lenses 2116 are molded bythis die, they may be easily mass-produced.

According to the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 15thembodiment of the present invention, without requiring large numberLEDs, desired illumination intensity having uniformity over a large areais obtained. In addition to the feature of low power consumption,because it is the lighting without flickering, a slight change of finegradation, such as the neutral tints, on the X-ray film can be easilyobserved. Or, worry of fatigue of eyes due to the flickering, or worryof the affect to human body from the fatigue of eyes can be eliminated.In addition, in FIGS. 36A and 36B, plural bulk-shaped lenses2111,2112,2113, . . . , 2116, 2121, . . . , 2126,2131, . . . , 2136 aredisposed in 3*6 matrix form, but, it is not necessary to limit to suchmatrix-form arrangement. For example, the position of the first levelplural bulk-shaped lens 2131, . . . , 2136 can shift from the positionof the second level plural bulk-shaped lens 2121, . . . , 2126 by ½pitch, and the position of the third level plural bulk-shaped lens 2111,. . . , 2116 can shift similarly from the second level pluralbulk-shaped lens 2121, . . . , 2126 by ½ pitch so as to implement theclose-packed arrangement.

16th Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 37A, a planar-light-emitting unit related to the 16thembodiment of the present invention embraces at least an integrated lens2031 having plural concavities and plural convex portions facing to theplural concavities, plural LEDs 2211,2212,2213, . . . , 2216,2221, . . ., 2226, 2231, . . . , 2236, installed in the plural concavities, each ofLEDs emitting light of predetermined wavelength, a main reflector 2012identified by a plane mirror reflecting back light from the pluralconvex portions (but the main reflector is not illustrated clearly,because it becoming the rear face side in bird's eye view of FIG. 37A.)and a semitransparent plate 2011 transmitting lights reflected back atthe main reflector 2012, the semitransparent plate is disposed so as todefine a constant angle with the main reflector 2012. And, theplanar-light-emitting unit related to the 16th embodiment of the presentinvention, further embraces a side reflector (the first side reflector)2013 arranged between the main reflector 2012 and the semitransparentplate 2011. Although the illustration is omitted, as it becomes the rearface side of the bird's eye view shown in FIG. 37A, there is anotherside reflector (the second side reflector) facing to the side reflector2013. The integrated lens 2031 is fixed to the backplate 2015. By themain reflector 2012, the semitransparent plate 2011, the side reflector(the first side reflector) 2013, the another side reflector (the secondside reflector) and backplate 2015, a triangular prismatic cavity isimplemented similar to the configuration explained in the 15thembodiment. In addition, although the illustration is omitted, theplural LEDs 2211,2212,2213, . . . , 2216,2221, . . . , 2226, 2231, . . ., 2236 are connected to LED sockets, and supplied with predeterminedvoltage, respectively. The other configuration repeats the descriptionin the 15th embodiment, and the overlapped description is omitted.

With above-mentioned integrated lens 2031, assembling process of theplanar-light-emitting unit becomes easy. Therefore, according to the15th embodiment, the productivity improves compared with a method bywhich a lot of bulk-shaped lenses are manufactured individually. And, ifwe install 3*6=18 pieces of LEDs in each of concavities in theintegrated lens 2031, and these 18 pieces of LEDs are connected inseries, the direct drive by the commercial 100V power becomes possible.

According to the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 16thembodiment of the present invention, the electric power is saved, anddesired illumination intensity with uniformity over a large area can beeasily got. In addition, because it is lighting without flickering, aslight change of fine gradation such as the neutral tints on the X-rayfilm can be easily observed. In addition, worry of fatigue of eyes isunnecessary, since there is no flickering.

FIG. 37B is schematic bird's eye view showing a planar-light-emittingunit related to a modification of the 16th embodiment of the presentinvention. Although the outer circumferential surface of integrated lens2031 shown in FIG. 37A has a waveform geometry having plural cylindricalsurfaces, the outer circumferential surface of the integrated lens 2032shown in FIG. 37B is flat, different from the topology shown in FIG.37A. Because other features are very similar to theplanar-light-emitting unit related to the 16th embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 37A, the redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 38 is a schematic bird's-eye view showing a planar-light-emittingunit related to another modification of the 16th embodiment of thepresent invention, and it shows an example of a planar-light-emittingunit having a large surface area, in which two units are assembled,preparing the integrated lens 2032 shown in FIG. 37B as a unit. That isto say, in FIG. 38, the first integrated lens 2032 a and the secondintegrated lens 2032 b are disposed adjacently. And, in pluralconcavities of the first integrated lens 2032 a, 18 pieces of LEDs 2211a, 2212 a, 2213 a, . . . 2216 a, 2221 a, . . . , 2226 a, 2231 a, . . . ,2236 a are installed, and in plural concavities of the second integratedlens 2032 b, another 18 pieces of LEDs 2211 b, 2212 b, 2213 b, . . . ,2216 b, 2221 b, . . . , 2226 b, 2231 b, . . . , 2236 b are installedrespectively. And, the planar-light-emitting unit related to anothermodification of the 16th embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 38, embraces at least a main reflector 2008 made of a plane mirrorand a semitransparent plate 2016 transmitting the lights reflected backat main reflector 2008, between the main reflector 2008 and thesemitransparent plate 2016 a constant angle is defined. The mainreflector 2008 and semitransparent plate 2016 have areas two timeslarger than those of the main reflector 2012 and the semitransparentplate 2011 shown in FIG. 37B.

FIG. 39 is a schematic bird's-eye view showing a planar-light-emittingunit related to a still another modification of the 16th embodiment ofthe present invention. The planar-light-emitting unit assembles fourunits, the configuration of each units is same as the integrated lens2032 in FIG. 37B, so as to implement further large surface area than theconfiguration shown in FIG. 38. That is to say, in FIG. 39, under aadjacency assembled structure of the first integrated lens 2032 a andthe second integrated lens 2032 b, another adjacency structure of thethird integrated lens 2032 c and the fourth integrated lens 2032 d aredisposed so as to form a layered structure. And, theplanar-light-emitting unit shown in FIG. 39 further embraces a mainreflector 2009, identified by a plane mirror, and a semitransparentplate 2018 transmitting lights reflected back at the main reflector2009, between the main reflector 2009 and the semitransparent plate 2018a constant angle is defined. The area of the main reflector 2009 and thesemitransparent plate 2018 can be designed to be four times lager thanthe main reflector 2012 and the semitransparent plate 2011 shown in FIG.37B. However, if an appropriate angle is chosen, the area of the mainreflector 2009 and the semitransparent plate 2018 are not required to bemade four 4 times larger.

17th Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 40, a planar-light-emitting unit related to 17thembodiment of the present invention, embraces at least plural LEDs 2211,. . . emitting light of predetermined wavelength, plural bulk-shapedlenses 2311, 2312, 2313, 2321, 2322, 2331, 2332, 2333, each ofbulk-shaped lenses emitting light from corresponding LED with a constantdirectivity and main luminescence portion of the LED is installed in thebulk-shaped lens, a main reflector 2012 identified by a plane mirrorreflecting back lights from the plural bulk-shaped lenses and asemitransparent plate 2011 transmitting lights reflected back at themain reflector, between the main reflector and the semitransparent platea constant angle is defined. Each of the plural bulk-shaped lenses 2311,2312, 2313, 2321, 2322, 2331, 2332, 2333, has a compressed geometryspreading to horizontal directions, which is different from thebulk-shaped lens of the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 15thembodiment of the present invention. Plural bulk-shaped lenses 2311,2312, 2313 are stacked on the plural bulk-shaped lenses 2321, 2322shifting off ½ pitch, and furthermore, the plural bulk-shaped lenses2321, 2322 are stacked on the plural bulk-shaped lenses 2331, 2332, 2333shifting off ½ pitch, similarly (but may be optionally arranged in 3*3matrix-form same as the 15th embodiment of the present invention, ofcourse). And the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 17thembodiment of the present invention embraces further a side reflector (afirst side reflector) 2013 between the main reflector 2012 and thesemitransparent plate 2011. Although the illustration is omitted, theplanar-light-emitting unit embraces further another side reflector (asecond side reflector) facing to the side reflector 2013. The pluralLEDs 2211 . . . are fixed to the backplate 2015. A triangular prismaticcavity is implemented by the main reflector 2012, the semitransparentplate 2011, the side reflector (the second side reflector extends), thebackplate 2015, and another side reflector (the first side reflector)2013. Although the illustration is omitted, plural LEDs 2211, . . . areconnected to LED sockets so that they can be supplied with predeterminedvoltage.

As shown in FIG. 40B, the compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311 related tothe 17th embodiment of the present invention has major axis W and minoraxis H. And, the compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311 encapsulates nearlycompletely the main luminescence portion of the LED 2211. The otherplural compressed bulk-shaped lenses 2312, 2313, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2331,2332, 2333 have similar geometries as shown in FIG. 40B. The compressedbulk-shaped lens 2311 encompasses a concavity installing a mainluminescence portion of LED 2211, the concavity is aligned along thecentral axis of compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311, the concavity has aceiling surface identified by a first curved surface, and thebulk-shaped lens is defined by a top surface identified by a secondcurved surface, emitting the light. The LED 2211 is a resin molded LEDencompassing at least a first pin 11, a pedestal connected to the firstpin 11, the pedestal merges with the first pin so as to form a singlepiece, a LED chip disposed on the pedestal, a resin mold encapsulatingthe LED chip, and a second pin 12 facing to the first pin 11. Becausethe resin molded LED 2211 is nearly completely confined in the concavityof the compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311, stray light components cancontribute to lighting effectively.

That is to say, an inner wall portion of the concavity aside from theportion assigned as the entrance surface 2, identified by the firstcurved surface (the ceiling surface) can serve as the effective entrancesurface of the light. Components of lights reflected back at eachinterfaces repeat multiple reflections in the concavity, between the LED2211 and the concavity of the compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311, so as togenerate stray light components. Because these stray light componentsbeings confined in the inside of the concavity in the 17th embodiment ofthe present invention, the components can contribute to lightingfinally. In this way, according to the compressed bulk-shaped lens 2311related to the 17th embodiment of the present invention, desired lightflux at the irradiation area serving as the light beam contributing tolighting can be achieved, without requiring large number of the resinmolded LEDs 2211, and desired illumination intensity having uniformityover a large area can be easily achieved. Further, in addition to thefeature of low power consumption, because it is lighting withoutflickering, a slight change of fine gradation, such as the neutral tintson the X-ray film can be easily observed. In addition, worry of fatigueof eyes is unnecessary, because the flickering is eliminated.

Other features overlap the description in the 15th embodiment, and theseoverlapped descriptions are omitted.

18th Embodiment

In the 15th to the 17th embodiments of the present invention, theplanar-light-emitting units of a single directivity mode, in which lightis emitted to one direction, are described. Simply, bonding twoplanar-light-emitting units of the single directivity mode back to backcan assemble a planar-light-emitting unit of the double directivitymode, in which lights are emitted to two mutually opposing directions.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a planar-light-emitting unit of the 18thembodiment of the present invention, pertaining to other doubledirectivity mode. In FIG. 41, the first integrated lens 2033 a faces tothe second integrated lens 2033 b through a main reflector 2043identified as a plane mirror. The main reflector 2043 is a double sidedmirror, and is disposed between the first integrated lens 2033 a and thesecond integrated lens 2033 b diagonally. And, 18 pieces of concavitiesare cut in the first integrated lens 2033 a so that 18 pieces of LEDs,the illustration of which is omitted, can be installed in the 18 piecesof concavities. Likewise, another 18 pieces of concavities are cut inthe second integrated lens 2033 b, so that another 18 pieces of LEDs2211 b, 2212 b, 2213 b, . . . , 2216 b, 2221 b, . . . , 2226 b, 2231 b,. . . , 2236 b can be installed in the 18 pieces of concavities,respectively. Further, the planar-light-emitting unit of the doubledirectivity mode related to the 18th embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIG. 41 embraces at least a first semitransparent plate 2041disposed so as to define a constant angle with the main reflector 2043,transmitting the light reflected at the main reflector 2043, a secondsemitransparent plate 2042 disposed along the direction parallel to thefirst semitransparent plate 2041, the second semitransparent plate 2042is aligned to the opposite side with regard to the main reflector 2043.In FIG. 41, the light reflected at the front surface of the mainreflector 2043 propagate upward, and the lights reflected at the rearface of the main reflector 2043 propagate downward. Other features aresimilar to the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 16th embodimentof the present invention, and therefore the redundant description isomitted.

According to the 18th embodiment of the present invention, withoutrequiring large number of LEDs, the planar-light-emitting unit of thedouble directivity mode having desired illumination intensity withuniformity can be easily provided. In addition, theplanar-light-emitting unit of the double directivity mode dissipates lowpower and achieves the double-sided lighting, without accompanied byflickering.

19th Embodiment

FIG. 42 shows a planar-light-emitting unit of another single directivitymode according to 19th embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 42,a first integrated lens 2034 a faces to a second integrated lens 2034 bthrough a Λ (lambda)-shaped main reflector. The lambda-shaped mainreflector embraces a first reflector 2051 identified by a plane mirrorand a second reflector 2052 identified by another plane mirror. Thefirst main reflector 2051 is a plane mirror reflecting back the lightfrom the first integrated lens 2034 a mainly, and the second mainreflector 2052 is another plane mirror reflecting back the light fromthe second integrated lens 2034 b mainly. And 18 pieces of concavitiesare cut in the first integrated lens 2034 a, the 18 pieces of LEDs, theillustration of which are omitted, are installed in the 18 pieces ofconcavities. Likewise, another 18 pieces of concavities are cut in thesecond integrated lens 2034 b, and another 18 pieces of LEDs 2511 b, . .. , 2516 b, 2521 b, . . . , 2526 b, 2531 b, . . . , 2536 b are installedin the 18 pieces of concavities, respectively. And, as shown in FIG. 42,the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 19th embodiment of thepresent invention embraces further a semitransparent plate 2053transmitting the lights reflected at the first main reflector 2051 andthe second main reflector 2052, the semitransparent plate 2053 isconfigured to define constant angles with the first main reflector 2051and the second main reflector 2052. In a direction parallel to the planeof the semitransparent plate 2053, a bottom plate 2054 is disposed in anopposite side with regard to the first main reflector 2051 and thesecond main reflector 20521. As shown in FIG. 42, a joint portionbetween the first main reflector 2051 and the second main reflector2052, or a lambda-shaped top is separated from the semitransparent plate2053 with distance d. By providing the distance d between thelambda-shaped top and the semitransparent plate 2053, the shade of thelambda-shaped top cannot be observed from the front surface of thesemitransparent plate 2053. Because other features are similar to theplanar-light-emitting unit explained in the 16th embodiment of thepresent invention, the redundant description is omitted.

According to the planar-light-emitting unit related to the 19thembodiment of the present invention, a large area and longitudinallylong size can be lighted up uniformly without requiring large number ofLEDs. In addition, illumination intensity can be increased enough. And,the lighting of low power dissipation, which is not accompanied byflickering, is possible.

FIG. 43 is schematic bird's eye view showing a planar-light-emittingunit related to a modification of the 19th embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 43, the planar-light-emitting unit relatedembraces a square pyramid (a quadrangular pyramid) defined by a firstmain reflector 2061, a second main reflector 2062, a third mainreflector 2063 and fourth main reflector 2064, each reflectors isidentified by a plane mirror, the square pyramid disposed in a centralportion, and four walls disposed along four bases of the square pyramid,each of the four walls encompasses an assemblage identified by 3*12=36pieces of bulk-shaped lenses, three levels of 12 pieces of bulk-shapedlenses are stacked in the assemblage. That is to say, along the base ofthe isosceles triangle serves as the first main reflector 2061, aplurality of bulk-shaped lenses 2622 d, 2621 d, 2620 d, . . . , 2722 d,. . . , 2822 d are stacked, along the base of an isosceles triangleserving as the second main reflector 2062, a plurality of bulk-shapedlenses 2611 c, 2612 c, 613 c, . . . , 2622 c, 2711 c, . . . , 2811 c arestacked. Furthermore, along the base of an isosceles triangle serving asthe third main reflector 2063, a plurality of bulk-shaped lenses 2611 b,. . . , 2622 b, 2711 b, . . . , 2722 b, 2811 b, . . . , 2822 b arestacked, and along the base of an isosceles triangle serving as thefourth main reflector 2064, a plurality of bulk-shaped lenses 2611 a, .. . , 2622 a, 2711 a, . . . , 2722 a, 2811 a, . . . , 2822 a arestacked. In the bulk-shaped lenses 2611 b, . . . , 2622 b, 2711 b, . . ., 2722 b, 2811 b, . . . , 2822 b and bulk-shaped lenses 2611 a, . . . ,2622 a, 2711 a, . . . , 2722 a, 2811 a, . . . , 2822 a, LEDs 2631 b, . .. , 2642 b, 2731 b, . . . , 2742 b, 2831 b, . . . , 2842 b and LEDs 2631a, . . . , 2642 a, 2731 a, . . . , 2742 a, 2831 a, . . . , 2842 a areinstalled respectively. Although the illustration is omitted, thebulk-shaped lenses 2622 d, 2621 d, 2620 d, . . . , 2722 d, . . . , 2822d and the bulk-shaped lenses 2611 c, 2612 c, 2613 c, . . . , 2622 c,2711 c, . . . , 2811 c, install LEDs, respectively, of course. In thisway, around the quadrangular pyramid, four walls identified by theassemblage of 3*12*4=144 pieces of the bulk-shaped lenses surrounds, and3*12*4=144 pieces of LEDs are disposed, respectively. And, as shown inFIG. 43, the planar-light-emitting unit further embraces asemitransparent plate 2079 transmitting the lights reflected at thefirst main reflector 2061, the second main reflector 2062, the thirdmain reflector 2063 and the fourth main reflector 2064 first mainreflector 2061, the semitransparent plate 2079 is configured to defineconstant angles with the first main reflector 2061, the second mainreflector 2062, the third main reflector 2063 and the fourth mainreflector 2064. In direction parallel to the semitransparent plate 2079,and in the opposite side of the semitransparent plate 2079 with regardto the first main reflector 2061, the second main reflector 2062, thethird main reflector 2063 and the fourth main reflector 2064, a bottomplate 2065 is disposed. Although the illustration is omitted, similar tothe configuration shown in FIG. 42, a top of the quadrangular pyramid isseparated from the semitransparent plate 2079 with a constant distanced. By separating the top of the quadrangular pyramid from thesemitransparent plate 2079 with the constant distance d, the shade ofthe top of the quadrangular pyramid cannot be observed from the frontsurface of the semitransparent plate 2079. Other features are similar tothe planar-light-emitting unit related to the 15th embodiment of thepresent invention, and the redundant description is omitted. Inaddition, the configuration in which four integrated lenses surround thecircumference of the quadrangular pyramid, where the integrated lens isshown in FIG. 42, is possible.

According to the planar-light-emitting unit related to a modification ofthe 19th embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 43, acomparatively thin planar-light-emitting unit having a largeluminescence area can be provided. If the luminescence area of theplanar-light-emitting unit becomes larger and larger, the effectivenessof reducing the number of LEDs becomes remarkable. That is to say,according to the planar-light-emitting unit related to the modificationof the 19th embodiment of the present invention, comparing with earliercase in which the bulk-shaped lenses are not employed, number of LEDsemployed become less than or equal to around ¼- 1/10, and the reductionof number of LEDs by several hundred level is implemented, andtherefore, unit price per area can be reduced.

20th Embodiment

For the resin molded LED 1 as shown in FIG. 1, if a battery caseconfigured to apply predetermined voltage is prepared so as to install abattery (an AA size battery, for example), a slender flashlight of pentype (a portable lighting equipment) is implemented. And electrodes ofLED 1 are connected to anode and cathode of the battery. As a result,with a simple configuration, the flashlight (the portable lightingequipment) can be provided with low manufacturing cost. The flashlights(the portable lighting equipment) are superior in stability andreliability for a long term. In particular, because the powerdissipation is low, the performance that life time of the battery islong can be achieved, which is not expected by earlier technologies.

As shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B, a hand-held instrument related to20th embodiment of the present invention is a ballpoint pen, whichembraces a visible light LED 1 serving as a semiconductor light-emittingelement configured to output light of predetermined wavelength, the LEDis mold by resin 14, and the light is emitted from the top surface ofthe resin 14, a power supply unit 3241,3242 configured to drive thesemiconductor light-emitting element (visible light LED) 1, abulk-shaped lens 20 having a top surface identified by a curved surface,configured to emit the light of semiconductor light-emitting element(visible light LED) 1, a concavity configured to install the resin 14,the concavity is implemented in the inside of the bulk-shaped lens, aholdings shank (a penholder) 3210 serving as a waveguide portion 3211implementing a hollow space 3217 configured to install the bulk-shapedlens 20. And the waveguide portion 3211 has a cylindrical hollow space,and a central axis member (a ink cartridge) 3215 is installed in thehollow space. Furthermore, the hand-held instrument related to the 20thembodiment of the present invention embraces a power supply unit3241,3242 driving the semiconductor light-emitting element (visiblelight LED) 1, and an electric switch portion 3226 controlling the powerfeeding from the power supply unit 3241,3242. At a tip portion of thepen point (operation-tip) 3214 of the ballpoint pen, a steel ballrotating freely, configured to supply appropriate ink to the surface ofpaper is arranged. As the steel ball, any commercially availabledimensions such as diameter of 0.2 mm^(φ)-0.8 mm^(φ) can be employed.

And, as shown in FIG. 44 B, the hand-held instruments (the ballpointpen) can be disassembled into a writing body 3301 and a lighting body3302 so that the lighting body 3302 can be independently used. That isto say, the hand-held instruments (the ballpoint pen) is configured suchthat the lighting body 3302 can be freely attached/released to/from thewriting body 3301.

In FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B, the ink cartridge 3215 can be installed fromthe pen point portion at the right side to toward the left side in thecartridge installation cavity 3215A, which is arranged in the centralaxis member of the penholder 3210. In addition, when the ink cartridge3215 must be changed after the ink becomes empty, the ink cartridge 3215can be detached from the left side to the right side, through thecartridge installation cavity 3215A.

For the waveguide portion 3211, a plastic material such as acomparatively lightweight transparent acryl resin, whose transmittanceto the wavelength of the LED light is high, and by which the fabricationis easy, can be employed. In accordance with preference, when thefeeling of weighty to the writing body 3301 and the easiness of writingare required, we can use transparent glass materials or transparentcrystalline materials described in the first embodiment for thewaveguide portion 3211. For example, the penholder 3210 can be formedsuch that it has diameter of 12 mm and overall length of about 150 mm.

Except the optical dispersion portion 3219, which will be describedbelow, the coating layer 3212 is arranged mostly on the surface of thewaveguide portion 3211, but the coating layer 3212 may be omitted bycase. If we want to focus the light to the pen point portion, thecoating layer 3212 should be used. Namely, in the case when the lightfrom penholder 3210 is used as the spot lighting, the coating layer 3212should be arranged. As the coating layer 3212 intended for the spotlighting, a high reflectivity metallic coating layer can be employed forprotecting the surface of the waveguide portion 3211, and raising thetransmission efficiency of the light in the waveguide portion 3211 atwavelength of the LED light. In addition, as the coating layer 3212, toimprove the fashionable nature, or the decorative nature, a skeletontype (semitransparent) colored resin coating layer of moderatetransparency or an opaque colored resin coating layer can be employed.In addition, for the coating layer 3212, rubber coating layer andpainted coating layer can be employed, if the optical transmittance ofcertain level can be manifested. For example, by using transmitted lightfrom the coating layer 3212 effectively, it can be used as a penlightsuch as a security hand-held instrument for night walk or an amusementhand-held instrument in a concert meeting place.

By processing the edge surface of the waveguide portion 3211, theoptical dispersion portion 3219 can be implemented. For example, amethodology configured to cut plural concavities having V-shaped,U-shaped, or splay-shaped geometry on the end of waveguide portion 3211,a methodology forming fine irregularities on the end of waveguideportion 3211, or methodologies fogging up the end of waveguide portion3211 to the state of high frosted glass of comparatively hightransparency can be employed. Furthermore, fine grains of transparentmaterials such as glass can be coated or bonded to the end of thewaveguide portion 3211. At all events, we can adopt optical designs suchthat the light being condensed and transmitted through the waveguideportion 3211 can be dispersed moderately by the optical dispersionportion 3219 so that we can locally light up brightly on the surface ofpaper to the extent necessary for the writing work in the dark.

As shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B, at the leftmost edge of the writingbody 3301, a bulk-shaped lens engager 3217, serving as the hollow spaceconfigured to install the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the present invention,is arranged. The bulk-shaped lens engager 3217 is, so to speak, a socketportion (female unit) configured to install the bulk-shaped lens 20. Inother words, the bulk-shaped lens (plug portion: male unit) 20 of thelighting body 3302 is inserted in the bulk-shaped lens engager 3217 soas to be connected to the engager. A ceiling surface of the hollow spaceof the engager is identified by a concave surface having radius ofcurvature approximately same as the top surface of the bulk-shaped lens(plug portion: male unit) 20, and is configured such that the light fromthe bulk-shaped lens 20 is effectively guided to the waveguide portion3211. In addition, inside diameter of the hollow space of the engager isset slightly lager than the outside diameter (a portion aside from thetop surface) of the bulk-shaped lens (plug portion: male unit) 20, forexample, around 0.05 mm-0.2 mm lager. And, at an edge of the bulk-shapedlens engager (the socket portion) 3217, a female screw as awriting-body-engager 3218 is implemented (See the light-hand side inFIG. 44B.). On the other hand, at one end of the lighting-body-housing3223, a male screw serving as a lighting-body-engager 3228 configured tobe coupled with the writing-body-engager 3218 of the writing body 3301.In addition, although the writing body 3301 and lighting body 3302 areattached and/or detached using the male and female screws as an examplehere, other methodologies such as fitting methodology or clampingmethodology can be employed.

Furthermore, in the inside of the waveguide portion 3211, a reflectingmirror 3211A is mounted at the bottom plane of the cartridgeinstallation cavity 3215A. The reflecting mirror 3211A is configured toincrease the lighting efficiency of the light emitted from the visiblelight LED 1.

Furthermore, although the illustration is omitted, the reflecting mirrorcan be disposed at the inner wall of the hollow space of the waveguideportion 3211 serving as the portion for installing the ink cartridge3215, or at the external wall of the cartridge. In addition, if minuteirregularities serving as the irregular reflection plane are implementedat the inner wall of the hollow space, the interposed portion of the inkcartridge 3215 can be observed darkness, and we can expect theeffectiveness such that the circumference of the writing body 3301becomes slightly bright by the light from the irregular reflectionplanes. For using as a previously described penlight, it is effective tomake an irregular reflection plane at the inner wall of the hollowspace.

On the other hand, the lighting body 3302 embraces alighting-body-housing 3223, a semiconductor light-emitting element(visible light LED) 1 attached at the right side of thelighting-body-housing 3223 as shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B, a powersupply unit 3241,3242 installed at the central portion of thelighting-body-housing 3223, and an electric switch portion 3226 arrangedat the leftmost edge of the lighting-body-housing 3223. A top surface ofresin 14 is identified by the geometry of the top surface of commercialresin molded LED 1, and it is implemented by a concave geometry havingpredetermined radius of curvature. Apart from the top surface of theconcave geometry, the resin molded LED 1 is identified by a cylinderconfiguration having, for example, diameter (outside diameter) of 2-3mm^(φ). In addition, the bulk-shaped lens 20 has concavity configured toinstall the resin 14. A side wall portion of the concavity isimplemented by a cylindrical geometry having diameter (inside diameter)of 2.5-4 mm^(φ) so as to install the resin molded LED 1. Although theillustration is omitted, in order to fix the LED 1 and the bulk-shapedlens 20, a spacer or an adhesive having thickness of around 0.25-0.5 mmis interposed between the LED 1 and the storing cavity 6 of thebulk-shaped lens 20. The spacer or the adhesive should be disposed at alocation aside from the main luminescence portion of the LED 1. Thebulk-shaped lens 20 has almost cylinder geometry same as the LED 1,apart from the top surface neighborhood serving as the convex-shapedexit surface 3. The diameter (outside diameter) of the cylinder geometryportion of the bulk-shaped lens 20 can be selected to a predeterminedvalue smaller than the outside diameter of the lighting-body-housing3223. For example, it may be chosen as 6-11 mm^(φ) level. A top surfaceof the bulk-shaped lens 20 is identified by a concave geometry havingpredetermined radius of curvature, and the bulk-shaped lens 20 isconfigured to condense efficiently the light emitted from the visiblelight LED 1 and to emit the light outside.

In the general visible light LED (resin molded LED), the lights emittedfrom a place aside from the convex-shaped curved surface serving as thetop surface of the resin 14 become so-called stray light component, anddo not contributed to the lighting. However, in the 20th embodiment ofthe present invention, since the visible light LED 1 is nearlycompletely confined in the concavity of the bulk-shaped lens 20, thesestray light components can effectively contribute to the lighting. Thatis to say, the inner wall aside from the portion of the entrance surface(the ceiling surface) 2 of the concavity can serve as the effectiveentrance surface of the light. In addition, components of the light,reflected back at each interfaces, repeating the multiple reflectionsbetween the visible light LED 1 and the concavity, become the straylight components. By the optical system of the earlier known opticallenses, these stray light components cannot be extracted so as tocontribute to the lighting. However, because these stray lightcomponents, in the 20th embodiment of the present invention, areconfined in the inside of the concavity, they can finally become thecomponents contributing to the lighting. As the result, not depending onthe light extracting efficiency ascribable to the geometry of the resin14, nor the return components between optical systems, the inherentlight energy of the LED chip can be extracted effectively, withapproximately same efficiency as the internal quantum efficiency. Inthis way, according to the configuration of optics related to the 20thembodiment of the present invention, without requiring large number ofthe resin molded LEDs 1, desired light flux at irradiation area, servingas the light beam contributing to the local lighting, and desiredillumination intensity can be easily obtained. The illuminationintensity is not achieved by the optical system of the earlier knownoptical lenses. In other words, illumination intensity of the same levelas the commercially available flashlight with slender body, usinghalogen lamp, can be realized only by a single LED. In this way,according to the configuration of optics related to the 20th embodimentof the present invention, the illumination intensity which cannot bepredicted by the earlier technical common sense can be achieved by thesimple configuration as shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 44B.

The lighting-body-housing 3223 can be implemented by a pipe-shapedhollow cylinder body or other similar geometries, in which the powersupply unit 3241,3242 can be installed. The lighting-body-housing 3223can be made of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, oracryl resin or plastic materials. Similar to the penholder 3210, thelighting-body-housing 3223 can be made of, for example, transparentacryl resin or transparent plastic material, or it may be made ofsemitransparent/opaque acryl resin and semitransparent/opaque plasticmaterial, which are colored moderately. The lighting-body-housing 3223is implemented by the size which, for example, is equal to the outsidediameter of the penholder 3210 of the writing body 3301.

As shown in FIG. 45, the LED chip 13 is mounted on a susceptor (a diepad) 202 arranged on a base pedestal (a stem) 15. And, the LED chip 13is resin molded by the resin 14. The one end of the first leadinterconnection 11 is connected to one electrode of the LED chip 13(bottom electrode), through the susceptor 202, and another end isderived to the rear surface penetrating through the base pedestal 15.Likewise, the one end of the second lead interconnection 12 is connectedto the other electrode of the LED chip 13 (top electrode), and anotherend is derived to the rear surface penetrating through the base pedestal15. Although the reference numeral is not labeled, between otherelectrode (the top electrode) of the LED chip 13 and the second leadinterconnection 12 is electrically connected by a bonding wire. In thisway, the visible light LED 1 embraces the base pedestal 15, thesusceptor 202, the LED chip 13, the first lead interconnection 11, thesecond lead interconnection 12, the resin 14 and etc. The base pedestal15 may be made of insulating materials such as ceramics, encapsulated bymetals such as stainless, brass or copper at the contour surface, or itmay be made of same material as resin 14, merging to the resin 14. Inaddition, although a configuration in which a step is implementedbetween resin 14 and base pedestal 15 is shown in FIG. 45, the step maybe eliminated by the configuration in which the resin 14 and basepedestal 15 are implemented by the same outside diameter.

In addition, as the visible light LED 1 to be use in the hand-heldinstrument related to the 20th embodiment of the present invention, LEDsof various colors (wavelengths) can be employed. In the case of locallighting used for the writing work in the dark, the white LED explainedin the first embodiment is preferred; because the light from the whiteLED is natural to eyes of human.

The resin 14 is implemented by a molded body, which provide the opticallens action and has the function to protect the LED chip 13simultaneously. For example, transparent thermosetting epoxy resin andtransparent acryl resin can be used for the resin 14. Since the rightside portion of resin 14 in FIG. 45 is identified by a concave geometryhaving predetermined radius of curvature, the resin 14 condenseefficiently the light (white light) emitted from the LED chip 13 so asto shine the bulk-shaped lens 20.

As shown in FIG. 44A and FIG. 45, the power supply unit 3241,3242 can beimplemented by two pieces of serially-connected batteries 3241 and 3242such as AA size to AAAA size batteries so as to improve the portabilityof a hand-held instrument, while obtaining a moderate illuminationintensity as well. Or, disk type batteries such as a lithium ion batteryor a manganese dioxide lithium battery can be employed, too. Inaddition, the power supply unit 3241,3242 is not limited toabove-mentioned batteries, and can be implemented by other batteriessuch as small size rechargeable battery.

Although the detailed description of the configuration of the electricswitch portion 3226 is omitted, it is basically implemented by a simpleconfiguration such as a rotary or a push type switch (when a securityfeature, which will be explained in the 22nd embodiment, is required, alogic circuit, a pulse generator, a voltage regulator may be installedin the electric switches portion.). In addition, when functionconfigured to enjoy changes of tone of color is required, a voltageregulator which can independently control the drive the voltages ofthree pieces of LED chips of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors maybe installed in the electric switch portion. One terminal of theelectric switch portion 3226 is connected to the second leadinterconnection 12 of the visible light LED 1 through theinterconnection, which is not illustrated because it is arranged inwardof the lighting-body-housing 3302. As shown in FIG. 44A, the otherterminal of the electric switch portion 3226 is connected to the firstlead interconnection 11 of the visible light LED 1 through anelectrically conductive elastic member 3225, which holds the batteries241 and 242 and also serves as the interconnection.

Although the configuration is not shown, the electric switch portion3226 can be attached/detached freely to/from another end of thelighting-body-housing 3302 by a screw, and it is configured such thatthe replacement of the batteries 241 and 242 can be executed in thestate in which the electric switches portion 3226 is detached from thelighting-body-housing 3302. In the 20th embodiment, an electricallyconductive elastic member 3225 is made of metallic coil spring such as,for example, iron and copper. In addition, an electrically conductiveelastic member 3225 may be implemented by a flat spring in which a metalplate is folded.

Furthermore, at the contour of another end of the lighting-body-housing3223, a clip 3230 configured to carry the hand-held instrument storingin a pocket of a suit, for example, is attached.

The hand-held instrument fitted with lighting portion can be stored in apencil case, or in a pocket of a suit using the clip 3230 so as tocarry. And, for example, in the case when we want to take notes underthe slide screening in research meeting or lecture, or in the case whenwe want to take note on a notebook in night darkness, if we operate theelectric switch portion 3226 of the hand-held instrument so that directcurrent is passed to the LED chip 13, identified by the visible lightLED 1, from the power supply unit 3241,3242, visible light such as whitelight is emitted from the LED chip 13 as shown in FIG. 45. As shown byarrows in FIG. 45, the visible light emitted from LED chip 13 is, atfirst, efficiently condensed by the resin 14, and is successivelyefficiently condensed by the bulk-shaped lens 20 and the waveguideportion 3211, respectively, and propagates to the direction of the penpoint 3214, through the penholder 3210 via the waveguide portion 3211.Among visible lights emitted from the LED chip 13, visible lightpropagates to pen point 3214 along the shaft center of the writing body3301 is reflected back at the reflecting mirror 3211A disposed at thebottom face of the cartridge installation cavity 3215A, and the visiblelight reflected back is reflected back again at the surface ofbulk-shaped lens 20 and at the surface of resin 14, so that all of thevisible lights can propagate toward the pen point 3214.

The optical dispersion portion 3219 disperses the visible lighttransmitted through the waveguide portion 3211 finally, and necessaryillumination intensity at the surface of paper, which is appropriate forthe writing work in the dark, can be obtained. In this state, by turningthe steel ball of the pen point 3214 to the surface of paper,appropriate ink can be supplied to the surface of paper from inkcartridge 3215 depending on the rotation of the balls.

According to configuration of the hand-held instrument fitted withlighting portion related to the 20th embodiment of the presentinvention, since it encompasses the resin 14 efficiently condensing thelight from the LED chip 13, the bulk-shaped lens 20 and the waveguideportion 3211 so as to improve the lighting efficiency, enoughillumination intensity can be obtained, which is same level as obtainedby incandescent lamp, in the practical use sense. Furthermore, thehand-held instruments manifests the low power consumption featureascribable to the employment of the visible light LED 1, the lightingduration can be lengthened. For example, by comparing with the case whenincandescent lamp is employed, the lighting duration longer than dozensof times to several hundred times can be achieved. Furthermore, thehand-held instrument is implemented by the simple configuration suchthat it encompasses only the resin 14, the bulk-shaped lens 20 and thewaveguide portion 3211 each configured to condense the light from thevisible light LED 1. In addition, because the hand-held instrument isimplemented by such simple configuration, fabrication is easy, and thefabrication cost can be reduced, too.

Furthermore, because the waveguide portion 3211 implements the penholder3210, parts count employed in the writing body 3301 can be reduced. Bythe reduction of parts count, the hand-held instrument of furthersimpler configuration can be realized. As a result, furthermore, thehand-held instrument fitted with lighting portion having advantages suchthat fabrication is easy, and that the fabrication cost is low can beimplemented as well.

In addition, in the hand-held instrument related to the 20th embodimentof the present invention, coloring is made on, at least either one of,the resin 14, the bulk-shaped lens 20, the waveguide portion 3211, theoptical dispersion portion 3219, so as to emit light tinged with colorssuch as red, yellow, or purple rather than white light, so that notescan be taken in research meeting or lecture, in the illumination levelthat a person of periphery is not troubled, and further improving thedecorative nature.

Although the basic configuration of a hand-held instrument (writingimplement) shown in FIG. 46A (writing implements) is same as theconfiguration of the hand-held instruments shown in FIG. 44A to FIG. 45,it further embraces a outer cap 3231 configured to protect the pen point3214 of the writing body 3301, which can be attached/detached to/fromthe penholder 3210 freely. And a clip 3232 is fitted on the outer cap3231. In addition, by implementing at least a part of the outer cap 3231in the vicinity of the pen point 3214 with a transparent material, andby choosing the geometry of the part of the vicinity of the pen point3214 to a predetermined shape, it can serve as the flashlight, even inthe state that the outer cap 3231 is attached.

Although the basic configuration of the hand-held instrument shown inFIG. 46B is same as the writing implement (the hand-held instrument)shown in FIG. 46A, the writing body 3301 is identified as a fountainpen. The writing body 3301 embraces a pen point 3140 of the fountainpen, and an ink cartridge 3150 configured to supply ink to the pen point3140. Although in the writing implement (the hand-held instrument) shownin FIG. 46B, the writing body 3301 is identified as the fountain pen,the similar effectiveness achieved by the writing implements shown inFIG. 46A can be obtained.

21st Embodiment

In 21st embodiment of the present invention, a locking/unlocking system,configured such that an optical signal is transmitted from the hand-heldinstruments so that a locking object, such as an entrance, a gate, adoor of each chambers, a door of a car, a drawer of a desk, a drawer ora door of a furniture, a lid of a seal box or an accessory box, islocked or unlocked is explained, employing the basic configuration ofthe hand-held instrument fitted with lighting portion related to the20th embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 47, the locking/unlocking system related to anembodiment of the 21st of the present invention embraces asignal-transmitting unit 3304 implemented by the hand-held instrumentand a locking object having a signal-receiving unit 3305 configured toreceive an optical signal from the signal-transmitting unit (thehand-held instrument) 3304. That is to say, the hand-held instrumentimplementing the locking/unlocking system related to the 21st embodimentof the present invention encompasses a visible light LED 3340, molded byresin 14, the LED serving as a semiconductor light-emitting elementoutputting the optical signal from a top surface of the resin 14, abulk-shaped lens 20 implementing a concavity configured to install thevisible light LED 3340 in the inside and a waveguide portion 3211,serving as a penholder, having a hollow space configured to attach,install and detach the bulk-shaped lens. On the other hand, lockingobject encompasses the signal-receiving unit 3305 configured to receivesthe optical signal transmitted by the signal-transmitting unit (thehand-held instrument) 3304 and a locking mechanism 3306 configured tounlock in the case when it is determined that the received opticalsignal is identified as the predetermined signal. Furthermore, thelocking object includes a drive power supply 3307 configured to supplypower source to the signal-receiving unit 3305.

Detailed descriptions of the writing body 3301 implemented by thewaveguide portion 3211 is omitted, since it is same as the writing body3301 explained in the hand-held instrument related to the 20thembodiment of the present invention.

Although the signal-transmitting unit 3304 has the same basicconfiguration as the lighting body 3302 explained in the hand-heldinstrument related to the 20th embodiment of the present invention, andit can be employed as the lighting equipment, it is configured totransmit the optical signal to the signal-receiving unit 3305 in the21st embodiment. That is to say, the signal-transmitting unit 3304transmits the optical signal to the signal-receiving unit 3305 so as tocontrol the locking mechanism 3306, thereby implementing a transmitterconfigured to provide “an electronic key” for locking or unlocking ofdrawers of desks, etc.

That is to say, the signal-transmitting unit 3304 embraces asemiconductor light-emitting element (LED chip) 3410, a resin configuredto condense the light (the optical signal) emitted from the LED chip3410, a bulk-shaped lens 20, a power supply unit 3344 configured tosupply voltages for driving the LED chip 3410, and an electric switchportion 3346 configured to control the power feeding from the powersupply unit 3344. A semiconductor light-emitting element (LED) 3340encompasses a LED chip 3410 and a resin configured to mold the LED chip.In addition, as the LED 3340 to be employed in the locking/unlockingsystem related to the 21st embodiment of the present invention, LEDs ofvarious colors (wavelengths) can be accepted, similar to the 20thembodiment of the present invention.

But, in view of applications such as the local lighting for writing workin the dark, and execution of the encoding using the ratio of emissionintensities of respective colors, which will be described below (cf. the22nd embodiment), the white LED described in the first embodiment ispreferable. In view of the necessity to independently execute paralleloperations of three pieces of LED chips of RGB, it is desirable thatpower supply circuits for respective colors are prepared in parallel,and independent control circuits are connected to the respective powersupply circuits. In addition, generally the operating voltages of thegreen (G) and blue (B)-colored LEDs are higher than the red (R)-coloredLED, is high. Hence, the balance of three colors of RGB may be adjustedby providing internal resistances. When the encoding by colors is notintended, simultaneous parallel operations of three pieces of LED chipsof RGB can be achieved by a common power supply unit 3344 and a commonelectric switch portion 3346 controlling the power feedings from thecommon power supply unit 3344, by adjusting the voltage with therespective internal resistances.

But, in the daytime, with the LED (white LED) outputting the whitelight, when a locking object is irradiated with a beam, because theirradiation point is hard to observe, either one light of three colorsof RGB may be irradiated selectively. At all events, it is preferable toconfigure such that operation modes of the LEDs can be changed using anelectric switch or a logic circuit as follows: when it is employed as ahand-held instrument, a mode in which the white light is emitted isselected; and when the predetermined data processing is required so asto implement the security function, another mode in which the emissionintensities, the pulse durations or the sequential order of the lightsof respective LEDs of specific colors are independently controlled isselected. In this case, the electric switch portion 3226 shown in FIG.44A may encompass predetermined electronic circuits to implement themodulator (cf. the 22nd embodiment) such as a semiconductor memory ofrandom access memory (RAM), a logic circuit, a pulse generator, avoltage regulator, instead of the simple configuration such as shown inthe 20th embodiment.

By similar configuration (cf. FIG. 44B) to the 20th embodiment of thepresent invention, one end (top surface) of the signal-transmitting unit3304 has a plug geometry so that it can be inserted in a socket shapeportion implemented by the end of the writing body 3301, and so that itcan attached/detached freely. A male screw may be implemented at a partof the plug geometry, and a female may be implemented at a part of thesocket geometry. The waveguide portion 3211 implementing the penholder3210 of the writing body 3301 has optical geometry such that it canefficiently condense the optical signal propagated through thebulk-shaped lens 20 having the plug geometry, and transmit to the tipdirection, after condensing, the propagated optical signals are outputthrough optical dispersion portion 3219 to outside finally.

On the other hand, the locking mechanism 3306, implementing the lockingobject, judges the level of output current of the photodetector 3350, orjudges the level of output voltage through a resistor, and judgeswhether predetermined input light is fed, using a comparator etc. Whenit is judged that predetermined input light is fed, locking mechanism3306 conducts the unlocking actuating by predetermined drive mechanism.And, the locking mechanism 3306 maintains the locking state (the lockupcondition) if the photodetector 3350 does not detect predetermined inputlight. In addition, using a predetermined timer it may be automaticallylocked after the unlocking actuation, or it may be configured such thatthe locking mechanism 3306 locks when the photodetector 3350 detectedthe predetermined input light again.

As the signal-receiving unit 3305, various kinds of photodetector 3350can be adopted, but a semiconductor photodetector such as the photodiode is suitable for compactification, and it has a high sensitivity.As the photo diode 3350, a diode made of semiconductor material having acompletely same specific optical energy (energy gap) as thesemiconductor light-emitting element (LED) 3340 can be used. That is tosay, the photodetection with highest sensitivity havingwavelength-selectivity is achieved by making the specific optical energyof the light-emitting element equal to the specific optical energy ofthe photodetector. In the photodetector (the photo diode) 3350, currentflows when light having equal or larger energy than the specific opticalenergy of the photodetector is irradiated. In particular, extremely highsensitivity detection is achieved when light having exactly same energyas the specific optical energy of the photodetector is impinged, due tothe wavelength resonance effect. In this case, as the photo diode 3350,a reverse biased LED, having completely same configuration as the LEDemployed in the signal-transmitting unit, can be employed. In addition,as the photodetector 3350, an avalanche photo diode (APD) made ofsemiconductor material having completely same specific optical energy asthe LED may be used. Furthermore, as the photodetector 3350, aphototransistor made of semiconductor material having completely samespecific optical energy as the LED may be used.

For example, when white light having wavelength spectrum completely sameas the registered wavelength spectrum in the locking mechanism 3306 isimpinged on the photodetector, the locking mechanism 3306 actuatesunlocking operation. When the white light is adopted in thelocking/unlocking system related to the 21st embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission and reception of the signal will employthree colors of light, since it is known that white light is implementedby mixing of three colors of RGB lights. That is to say, since the whitelight can implement the signal transmission system of three channels,whish is strong against fluctuation and noise, photodetection by thesignal-receiving unit 3305 can be done with extremely high sensitivityso as to actuate the locking/unlocking operations.

Generally, there is enough space when the signal-receiving unit 3305 isinstalled in the entrance, the gate, and the door of each chamber.Therefore, in view of the spatial margin of the signal-receiving unit3305, in order to condense the light from the LED 3340 from thesignal-transmitting unit 3304, well known various optical systems suchas earlier lenses can be adopted. In addition, if optical pathreversibility is considered, the same optical system as the bulk-shapedlens employed in the writing implements 1, can condense the opticalsignal to the photodetector 3350.

In addition, if there is a spatial margin, photodetectors other than thesemiconductor photodetector, such as photomultiplier tube, can beemployed. In this case it is preferable to add color filterscorresponding to each of colors. In the case of the semiconductorphotodetector, by using semiconductor material having the specificoptical energy completely same as the LED 3340 as previously described,the equivalent effectiveness as the configuration in which opticalfilters are built-in. However, it is preferable to employ respectivecolor filters, because the influence of shorter wavelength lights on thedetecting elements of longer wavelengths can be avoided.

In this way, the locking/unlocking system having superior stability oflocking or unlocking actuation can be implemented.

FIG. 48A shows a remote control system using a collimated beam, and FIG.48B shows an operative example of a near field operation correspondingto FIG. 47. A locking/unlocking system shown in FIG. 48A is implementedby a desk 3581 serving as the locking object, and embraces asignal-receiving unit 3305 disposed at neighborhood of the front plate3585 of the drawer 3583, an electromagnetic solenoid 3560 serving as thelocking mechanism 3306, a drive power supply 3307 configured to supplythe driving current to the electromagnetic solenoid 3560. Locking hole3582 configured to insert a shaft of the electromagnetic solenoid 3560in the locked state is implemented in desk 3581. In addition, anoptical-signal-receiving-hole (an optical key hole) 3584 penetrating tooutward is arranged in the front plate 3585 of the drawer 3583. In orderto prevent a malfunction by stray light such as the sunlight, aside fromthe light from the LED 3340 in the signal-transmitting unit 3304, theoptical-signal-receiving-hole 3584 may be implemented by a through-holehaving a relatively small diameter compared with the thickness of frontplate 3585. That is to say, it may be configured such that only acollimated beam is effectively arrive to the signal-receiving unit 3305through the optical-signal-receiving-hole 3584.

In the locking/unlocking system shown in the FIG. 48A, the opticalsignal emitted from the LED 3340 in the signal-transmitting unit 3304 isreceived by the signal-receiving unit 3305 through theoptical-signal-receiving-hole 3584, and the driving current is suppliedto the electromagnetic solenoid 3560 based on the optical signalreceived by the signal-receiving unit 3305 from the drive-power supply3307. When the shaft of the electromagnetic solenoid 3560 is descend bythe driving current, the coupling between the locking hole 3582 and theshaft is broken so as to enable the unlocking actuating. On thecontrary, when the driving current raises the shaft of theelectromagnetic solenoid 3560, it makes locking actuation by couplingthe locking hole 3582 with the shaft.

On the other hand, the configuration of theoptical-signal-receiving-hole 3584 is different for the near fieldoperation. As shown in FIG. 48B, optical keyhole 3584 has a geometry ofsimilar figure with the optical dispersion portion 3219 and isimplemented by inside diameter slightly larger, for example, 0.1-0.3 mm,than the corresponding outside diameter of the optical dispersionportion 3219 so that it can install the optical dispersion portion 3219of the tip of the writing body 3301. And the light (dispersion light)just arrives to the photodetector of signal-receiving unit 3305 in thestate, which the optical dispersion portion 3219 is installed in theinside of the optical keyhole 3584. Even if the dispersion light isemployed, by arranging the photodetector to the nearest-neighbor placeof the optical dispersion portion, the effective optical intensity canbe implemented.

Furthermore, although the illustration is omitted, a push button may beimplemented at a part of the inside diameter portion of the opticalkeyhole 3584. And, if it is configured such that when the tip of thewriting body 3301 is interposed in the inside of the optical key hole3584, the push button is pushed so that the power of thesignal-receiving unit side become the ON-state, energy can be saved. Inaddition, protection of malfunctions due to the direct sunlightirradiation on the desk is possible.

Furthermore, by using one-dimensional or two-dimensional image sensor asthe photodetector of the signal-receiving unit 3305 shown in FIG. 48B,and if predetermined spatial pattern with encryption (coding) is formedon the surface of the optical dispersion portion 3219, it can beconfigured such that only when predetermined pattern of the specifichand-held instrument, corresponding to the specific person, isidentified, the unlocking actuation is enabled. Furthermore, hologramcolor filter will be established at a part of waveguide portion 3211 orat a part of optical dispersion portion 3219, so that thesignal-receiving unit 3305 can recognize the hologram pattern.

In addition, the locking/unlocking system embracing the signal-receivingunit 3305, the locking mechanism 3306 and the drive-power supply 3307 isnot limited to the example, in which it is implemented by the frontplate 3585 of the drawer 3583 of the desk 3581, serving as the lockingobject, as shown in FIGS. 48A and 48B, miscellaneous locking objectssuch as a drawer and a door of furniture, a lid of seal box or andaccessory box, a door and a cover of a safe, can be adopted.Furthermore, a wall, a gate, a door of the entrance, a door of eachchambers, a door of car, etc. can be employed as the locking object.

22nd Embodiment

As understood by the example shown in FIG. 48B, which was related to themethodology recognizing the spatial pattern, by using a predeterminedpersonal identification information as an optical signal, the hand-heldinstrument fitted with lighting portion of the present invention canapply to the locking/unlocking system, improving a security feature.

As shown in FIG. 49, a security locking/unlocking system related to anembodiment of the 22nd of the present invention embraces a hand-heldinstrument serving as a signal-transmitting unit 3304 configured totransmit an optical signal and a locking object implementing asignal-receiving unit 3305 configured to receive the optical signal fromthe hand-held instrument (a signal-transmitting unit) 3304. That is tosay, the hand-held instrument related to the 22nd embodiment of thepresent invention encompasses, an LED 3340 molded by resin 14, servingas a semiconductor light-emitting element configured to output theoptical signal from a top surface of the resin 14, modulator 3400configured to generate an optical signal by modulating the light so asto include a predetermined personal identification information, abulk-shaped lens 20 implementing a concavity configured to install theLED 3340 in the inside, and a waveguide portion 3211 serving as apenholder, implementing a hollow space configured to install thebulk-shaped lens 20, in such a way that the bulk-shaped lens is attachedto or detached from the hollow space. On the other hand, the lockingobject related to the 22nd embodiment of the present inventionencompasses a signal-receiving unit 3305 configured to receive theoptical signal emitted from the hand-held instrument(signal-transmitting unit) 3304 and a locking mechanism 3306 configuredto actuate unlocking, when the coincidence is confirmed after comparingthe personal identification information contained in the receivedoptical signal with the individual identification information registeredin the locking object. Furthermore, the locking object encompasses adrive-power supply 3307 configured to supply the signal-receiving unit3305 with a power source.

Here, the LED 3340 serving as the semiconductor light-emitting elementembraces a first semiconductor light-emitting chip (LED chip) 3410 (R)configured to emit light of a first wavelength λ₁ (red), a secondsemiconductor light-emitting chip (LED chip) 3410(G) configured to emitlight of a second wavelengthλ₂ (green) different from the firstwavelengthλ₁, a third semiconductor light-emitting chip (LED chip)3410(B) configured to emit light of a third wavelengths (blue) differentfrom the first and second wavelengthsλ₁, λ₂. And the modulator 3400 seta ratio of the light intensity I₁ of the first wavelength to the lightintensity I₂ of the second wavelength (=I₁/I₂), a ratio of the lightintensity I₂ of the second wavelength to the light intensity I₃ of thethird wavelength (=I₂/I₃), or a ratio of the light intensity I₃ of thethird wavelength to the light intensity I₁ of the first wavelength(=I₃/I₁) to predetermined values, respectively so as to generate anoptical signal containing personal identification information. Inaddition, the signal-receiving unit encompasses first, second and thirdphotodetector 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B) made of semiconductormaterials having the same specific optical energies as the first, secondand third semiconductor light-emitting chip 3410 (R), 3410(G), 3410(B),respectively. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 3306 encompasses acomparator 3631 to examine coincidence between the signal, generatedfrom outputs of the first, second and third photodetector 3051 (R), 3052(G), 3053 (B), and the registered personal identification informationand a locking-driver 3640 configured to actuate unlocking, whencoincidence between the signal and the registered personalidentification information is confirmed. Furthermore, locking mechanism3306 encompasses random access memory (RAM) 3632 configured to store thepersonal identification information.

As already described in the 20th embodiment, the white LED encompassedthree vertically stacked pieces of LED chips of red LED chip 3410 (R),green LED chip 3410 (G) and blue LED chip 3410 (B). In FIG. 49,modulator 3400 controls these three pieces of LED chips of red LED chip3410 (R), green LED chip 3410 (G) and blue LED chip 3410 (B),independency. Using the power supply unit 3344, the modulator 3400controls independently voltages of three pieces of LED chips of red LEDchip 3410 (R), green LED chip 3410(G) and a blue LED chip 3410(B)respectively, so that relative intensities of respective colors arecontrolled, thereby desired color can be obtained by the mixing ratio.For example, by D-A converting the 8 bit multiple-valued gradation datainto analog data, the modulator 3400 controls each of three pieces ofLED chips. Therefore the modulator 3400 encompasses a digital-to-analogconverter configured to control independently three circuits, usingvoltage from the power supply unit 3344 with signal of each 8 bit and avoltage regulator. In addition, the modulator 3400, not only controlsthe feeding of voltage from the power supply unit 3344, but also adjuststhe pulse duration and repetition frequency, associated with sourcevoltages applied to three pieces of LED chips of the red LED chip 3410(R), green LED chip 3410 (G) and blue LED chip 3410 (B). Further, themodulator 3400 can execute predetermined encoding of the source voltageswith the binary coded signals. In this case, electronic circuits such asa logic circuit or a pulse generator are merged in the modulator 3400.In addition, the modulator 3400 encompasses further a semiconductormemory such as RAM configured to store the 8 bit multiple-valuedgradation data of respective colors or the binary coded signal. Theelectronic circuits including the semiconductor memory such as RAM, thelogic circuit, the pulse generator and the voltage regulator, which arenecessary for the modulator 3400 are monolithically integrated on asingle chip as a semiconductor integrated circuit, and the semiconductorintegrated circuit is installed in the electric switch portion 3226, asshown in FIG. 44A. A microprocessor may be merged in the semiconductorintegrated circuits. The semiconductor integrated circuit controlsindependently the intensity of specific color, the pulse duration, thesequential order of the pulses, which are necessary for adding thesecurity features, and further can store these information.

Furthermore, by implementing a ten-key pad and other keyboards such ascharacter-input-keyboards at somewhere of the configuration of thelighting body 3302 shown in FIG. 44A, more complicated code signal andcryptogram can be input by the ten-key pad or the keyboard. In the case,the writing body 3301 is detached from the lighting body 3302, and bymeans of the pen point of writing body 3301, the keyboard can beoperated. For example, the keyboard may be implemented in the clip 3230shown in FIG. 44A.

On the other hand, the signal-receiving unit 3305 of thelocking/unlocking system related to the 22nd embodiment of the presentinvention encompasses a semiconductor photodetector 3051(R) of red band,a semiconductor photodetector 3052 (G) of green band, and asemiconductor photodetector 3053 (B) of blue band, which are connectedin parallel. As these semiconductor photodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G),3053 (B), we can use photo diodes 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B), whichare made of semiconductor materials having completely same specificoptical energy as the red LED chip 3410 (R), green LED chip 3410 (G) anda blue LED chip 3410 (B). That is to say, by making the specific opticalenergy of the light-emitting element and the specific optical energy ofthe photodetector equal, the photodetection of highest sensitivity withwavelength-selectivity is achieved. Because, in photodetectors (photodiodes) 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B), current does not flow unless thelight having energy equal to or more than energy gap is input, and whenthe light having energy same as the energy gap is input, by thewavelength resonance effect, extremely high sensitivity detection can beachieved. In this case, as photo diodes 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B),reverse biased LEDs having configuration exactly same as the red LEDchip 3410 (R), green LED chip 3410 (G) and blue LED chip 3410 (B) can beemployed. In addition, as photodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B),avalanche photo diodes made of semiconductor materials each havingenergy gap exactly same as the red, green, and blue LEDs can beemployed. Furthermore, as photodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B),phototransistors made of semiconductor materials each having energy gapexactly same as the red LED chip 3410 (R), green LED chip 3410 (G) andblue LED chip 3410 (B) can be employed. Furthermore, by implementing theDarlington connection of the phototransistors, further high sensitivitydetection can be achieved.

And, furthermore, locking mechanism 3306 has level judgment circuits3611,3612,3613, waveform shaping circuits (or, analog-to-digitalconverters) 3621,3622,3623. That is to say, at output sides ofphotodetectors 3051(R), 3052(G), 3053(B) of respective colors, leveljudgment circuits 3611,3612,3613 are connected respectively, and at theoutput sides of the level judgment circuits 3611,3612,3613, waveformshaping circuits (or, analog-to-digital converters) 3621,3622,3623 areconnected. And, only when outputs of respective photodetectors 3051(R),3052(G), 3053(B) reached predetermined level, the waveform shapers3621,3622,3623 feed binary or multiple valued outputs. For example, fromthe waveform shapers 3621,3622,3623, the 8 bit multiple-valued gradationsignals are fed, respectively. The comparator 3631 compares the 8 bitmultiple-valued gradation data of respective colors stored in the RAM3632 with outputs from the waveform shapers, and only when thecoincidence is confirmed, the comparator 3631 drives the locking-driver3640 so as to actuate unlocking. Or, when the comparator 3631 does notconfirm the coincidence, the locking-driver 3640 maintains the lockingstate (lockup condition). In addition, after the unlocking actuation, itmay be locked automatically after a constant time by using apredetermined timer. Or, the locking-driver 3640 can actuate lockingwhen the comparator 3631 identified the coincidence between the 8 bitmultiple-valued gradation data stored in the RAM 3632 and outputs of thephotodetectors 3051(R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B), after the photodetectors3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B) detect predetermined input light again.

In the above, it was explained that the photodetection of highestsensitivity with wavelength-selectivity was possible, when photo diodes3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B) made of semiconductor materials havingenergy gaps completely same as the red LED chip 3410(R), green LED chip3410(G) and a blue LED chip 3410(B), respectively. However, a carefulconsideration is needed as to the timing of luminescence of red LED chip3410 (R), green LED chip 3410 (G) and blue LED chip 3410 (B). That is tosay, by red (R)-colored light, photocurrent does not flow in the greensemiconductor photodetector 3052 (G) and the blue semiconductorphotodetector 3053 (B). However, since the energy of the green(G)-colored light is higher than the red (R)-colored light, by theirradiation of the green (G)-colored light, photocurrent flows in thered semiconductor photodetector 3051 (R). In addition, by blue(B)-colored light, which has highest energy, photocurrents flow in thered semiconductor photodetector 3051 (R) and the green semiconductorphotodetector 3052 (G), and the signal processing becomes complicated.To prevent this problem, one technique using red (R)-colored, and green(G)-colored bandpass filters may be proposed, but configuration of theequipment becomes complicated. The most simplest and effective techniqueis to move the timing of luminescence each other so as not overlap eachother, by choosing the timing and the pulse duration of driving pulse ofthe LED such that the red LED chip 3410 (R), the green LED chip 3410 (G)and the blue LED chip 3410(B) luminescence independently. In this way,by selection of the timing of luminescence, high sensitivity detection,using the wavelength resonance effect is enabled.

Or, a methodology finding the differentiation change of the outputs ofphotodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B), while the timing is movedso as to overlap in order of red (R) color, green (G) color and blue (B)color, can be employed. On the contrary, another methodology finding thedifferentiation change of the outputs of photodetectors 3051 (R), 3052(G), 3053 (B), while the timing is moved so as to overlap in order ofblue (B) color, green (G) color, red (R) color, can be employed.

In this way, if specified individuals choose freely the intensities ofRGB, respectively, and when the intensity ratios are adopted as therequired information (personal identification information) of thelocking/unlocking system, the security system that someone else cannotunlock absolutely can be implemented. Because the combination ofintensities of RGB may be possible to regard as almost infinite, if bitnumber of the multiple-valued gradation is chosen, extremely largenumber of people can employ the security system to a lot of equipments.Required information (personal identification information) of thelocking/unlocking systems can be stored in the RAM installed in theelectric switch portion 3226, as shown in FIG. 44A, or it may be inputusing the ten-key pad, each time. Or, by providing a reset circuit sothat the unlocking information can be changed at any time, only thelatest code signal can be memorized.

By the way, the selection of the timing of luminescence can be providedin many ways. What is the simplest is to choose so that R, G, Bluminescence independently in this sequence so that they don't overlap,respectively. In this case, they may be made to emit light sequentiallyaccording to the clock frequency, if a common clock frequency isselected between the signal-transmitting unit 3304 and the lockingmechanism 3306. If the synchronous detection, opening the gates ofphotodetection by the clock frequency, the noise components and theinfluence of stray light can be eliminated in the locking mechanism 3306side. And it is preferable, defining “one cycle” by the sequence of R,G, B luminescences, to repeat the sequences of R, G, B luminescenceswith predetermined cycle number, so as to obtain integral value by anaccumulator. In this way, after repeating simple sequence of R, G, B; R,G, B; . . . with predetermined cycle number, if we integrate thedetected signal so that the integral value of the repetition can beemployed in the confirmation of coincidence of the personalidentification information (required information of thelocking/unlocking system), high precise, and high reliablephotodetection is achieved, even in the environment such that straylight components by sun light is large. Here, the 8 bit multiple-valuedgradation data stored in the RAM 3632 is compared with the integralvalue after the repetition of the predetermined cycle number incomparator 3631 so that the coincidence is confirmed. The “predeterminedcycle number” may include even one cycle. The cycle number can bedetermined depending on the operating environment such that whether thedirect sunlight is irradiated or not, or in view of the output power ofthe LED, the sensitivity of the semiconductor photodetector.

On the other hand, by the way of selecting the timing of driving pulseof the LED, the individual identification information (requiredinformation of the locking/unlocking system) can be generated. Forexample, if we choose timings freely such that for person A, a sequenceof RRBGBR, RRBGBR, RRBGBR, for person B, a sequence of BRBRGG, BRBRGG,BRBRGG, and for person C, a sequence of GGGGBR, GGGGBR, GGGGBR, . . . sothat the respective orders of the luminescence can be identified as thespecific individual identification informations (required informationsof the locking/unlocking system).

In this case, except for the specific locking object, codes of otherplural personal identification informations can be aligned sequentiallyso as to emit light sequentially. For example, it may be necessary for asame person to open keys of doors of the plural entrances, keys of doorsof plural chambers, keys of doors of plural cars, keys of drawers ofplural desks, keys of drawers or doors of plural furnitures, keys oflids of seal box and accessory box, keys of container such as door orcover of the safe. In this case, the semiconductor memory such as RAMinstalled in the hand-held instrument can store all of the codesrequired for unlocking the keys of doors of these plural entrances, orthe keys of doors of plural chambers. And, if we configure such that thesequence of luminescences of respective colors encoding plural personalidentification information was detected by photodetectors, so that thelocking mechanism 3306 can compare with the registered personalidentification informations stored in the ROM installed in the lockingmechanism 3306, and if coincidence is confirmed for one of thesequential luminescences, the specific locking object is unlocked, thetrouble of looking for a specific key among a lot of keys becomesneedless. In addition, it is not necessary to carry a lot of keys with.

Furthermore, the pulse duration of the respective colors can be chosenso that it generates the personal identification information. When pulseduration is chosen, it may be determined based upon the clock frequencyas a reference, if a common clock frequency for the signal-transmittingunit 3304 and locking mechanism 3306 is selected. That is to say, if thesynchronous detection, opening the gate of photodetection triggered bythe clock frequency, the noise component and the influence of straylight can be eliminated. However, the pulse duration may be chosenindependently from the clock frequency under operating environment inwhich noise component and influence of stray light is low, of course.Furthermore, the various kinds of coding techniques used by normalinformation systems can be applied to respective colors (each channel),respectively, and further, they can be combined in all the colors.

In addition, the locking/unlocking system related to the 22nd embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 49 shows example when it makessignal-transmitting unit 3304 corresponding to FIG. 48B andsignal-receiving unit 3305 are mutually approached, but thelocking/unlocking system is not limited to the example. For example, thelocking/unlocking system can be applied to a methodology irradiating thelight to the signal-receiving unit 3305 located in a distant place bythe condensed light with predetermined focal distance or by thecollimated light, as shown in FIG. 48A, of course. In this case thewriting body 3301 is detached from the lighting body 3302 so as toexpose the bulk-shaped lens 20 of the lighting body 3302, and the outputlight from the surface of the bulk-shaped lens 20 can be used.

When a distant place is irradiated by the collimated light or thecondensed light with predetermined focal distance, the optical intensityimpinging the semiconductor photodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B)may depend upon distance. However, in the locking/unlocking systemrelated to the 22nd embodiment of the present invention, since themagnitude of optical intensity impinging the semiconductorphotodetectors 3051 (R), 3052 (G), 3053 (B) is not detected as necessaryinformation, but the relative intensity ratio of respective colors isdetected, the reliability of necessary information will not be lost,even if the distance varies.

23rd Embodiment

Furthermore, the writing implements explained in the 20th embodiment isonly a part of examples of the hand-held instruments of the presentinvention, and the 20th embodiment does not limit the present invention.In the configuration shown in FIG. 44A, at the location of the inkcartridge 3215, if a solid material (lipstick) actuating push-out motionor torsional motion is disposed, a cosmetic instrument (stick lipstick)can be implemented. According to the present invention, by theconfiguration having the optical dispersion portion at the end point ofthe waveguide portion similar to the structure shown in FIG. 44A, notonly the mouth, but also wide area of whole face can be lighted up, andit is very convenient. Furthermore, a cosmetic brush can be implemented.The cosmetic instrument fitted with lighting portion of the presentinvention is convenient for adjusting makeup in darkness, in specificsituation such as the case for cabin crew of aircraft. In particular,the cosmetic instrument fitted with lighting portion of the presentinvention can employ the white light, makeup of unaffected feeling justsame as daytime can be achieved in darkness.

Furthermore, the hand-held instrument of the present invention can beapplied to miscellaneous hand tools such as the driver shown in FIG. 50and a spanner or a wrench, which are omitted in the illustration. Drivershown in FIG. 50 can be attached/detached freely between the tool body3311 and the lighting body 3302. A holdings shank (shank) 3210D servingas a waveguide portion 3211 implements a cylindrical hollow spaceconfigured to install a driver shaft (a central axis member) 3115 madeof metal rod. The waveguide portion 3211 and the driver shaft 3115 arefixed rigidly each other by a shaft stopper 3116. In addition, tip ofwaveguide portion 3211 is identified by a convex shape so as toimplement a light-condensing portion 3211 B, and configured such thatthe tip (head) of the driver shaft 3115 can receive an efficient locallighting in a working state. For example, the tool body 3311 is detachedfrom lighting body 3302 so that the tool body 3311 can be installed inthe toolbox, while the lighting body 3302 is carried in a breast pocket,separately. Then, the locking/unlocking of the tool box can beestablished by the output light from the surface of the bulk-shaped lensof the lighting body 3302, carried separately. The head of the lightingbody 3302 is made large so that we can add force easily in FIG. 50.However, similar to FIG. 44A, with a configuration such that a clip isfitted to the contour of another end side of the lighting-body-housing3223, the lighting body 3302 can always be carried conveniently with apocket of working clothes, for example.

24th Embodiment

In FIG. 1, the bulk-shaped lens 20 implemented the storing cavity 6identified by the concave-shaped first curved surface and embraced theexit surface 3 identified by the convex-shaped second curved surface.However, FIG. 1 is an example, and the first curved surface and thesecond curved surface can adopt miscellaneous topologies depending onpurposes.

FIG. 51 shows a bulk-shaped lens 21 defined by an exit surface 3,identified by a concave-shaped second curved surface, according to the24th embodiment of the present invention. With the concave-shaped secondcurved surface as shown in FIG. 51, because the light has tendency todisperse, homogeneity appropriate for backlight illumination (indirectlighting system) can be obtained. In the configuration having the backmirror 31 as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, explained in the fourthembodiment, or in the configuration having the back mirror 31 as shownin FIG. 20, explained in the fifth embodiment, the curved surface cantake miscellaneous topologies depending on purposes, and they may bemodified into a bulk-shaped lens having the luminescence surfaceidentified by the concave-shaped second curved surface. Applying theconcave-shaped curved surface to the top surface (the luminescencesurface), because the light has tendency to disperse, the homogeneityappropriate for the backlight illumination (indirect lighting system)can be obtained.

But, when the second curved surface has the convex-shape, in order toget homogeneity of the illumination intensity profile, the protrudingheight Δ of the first curved surface defined in Eqs. (5) and (6) must beconsidered.

25th Embodiment

The number of traffic accidents in Japan has tendency to increase yearby year. Among them, the accident number related to bicycle holds about3%. Particularly, the accident by “non-lighting running” in the nightstands out in the bicycle accidents. Regardless of the fact that themounting rate of bicycle lamps is nearly equal to 100%, the lightingrate is very low with 20%. Because the most of lamps loaded on bicyclesare generator-type (DC dynamo type), there are many people runningwithout lighting by following reasons: (a) when the lamp is turned on,pedals become heavy, and legs bear burden; (b) when wheel comes incontact with the generator, unpleasant tone is generated; (c) when thereare puddles and mud on road, generator scatters water and mud so thatclothes are polluted; (d) by the generator, when speed of bicycle falls,the light becomes dark. For the cases of accidents of the non-lightingbicycle to car (or, bicycle to walker) at night, there are many casesthat the bicycle side is responsible, and liability of bicycle operatoris demanded. From these situations, a battery-operated bright lightingequipment with small and lightweight is waited eagerly. It may be foundthat battery type is desirable than the DC dynamo type for the bicyclelamp. What are required for the bicycle lamp are the enough brightnessand the long lifetime of battery. Light source with low powerdissipation is preferable in order to lengthen the lifetime of battery.In view of this aspect, the LED is preferable. However, generally, theillumination intensity from the LED is insufficient. In the 25thembodiment of the present invention, a light-emitting unit using the LEDhaving enough brightness is explained.

FIG. 52 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the light-emittingunit according to the 25th embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 52, the light-emitting unit related to the 25th embodiment ofthe present invention embraces at least a plurality of light sources(first to fourth light sources) 1 a-1 d configured to emits lights ofpredetermined wavelength, and a bulk-shaped lens 26 configured toencapsulate nearly completely respective main luminescence portions ofthe first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d, installing independently andrespectively. In order to install independently the first to fourthlight sources 1 a-1 d respectively, the bulk-shaped lens 26 implements aplurality of well-shaped concavities (the first to fourth concavities) 6a-6 d, separated each other and arranged in parallel.

The respective well-shaped first to fourth concavities 6 a-6 d aredefined by separate first to fourth entrance surfaces 2 a-2 d, andseparate first to fourth concavity-sidewalls 5 a-5 d, formedsuccessively to ceiling surfaces, the respective ceiling surfaces areidentified by the first to fourth entrance surfaces 2 a-2 d. The exitsurface 3 configured to emit plural lights incident from plural entrancesurfaces 2 a-2 d is identified by a single curved surface. The lens body4 connects between the first to fourth entrance surfaces 2 a-2 d and thesingle exit surface 3. The lens body 4 is made of a transparent materialto wavelength of lights emitted from the light sources.

For example, each of the first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d is abullet-shaped LED having diameter (outside diameter) of 2-3 mm^(φ) at amaximum portion. The cross section of the bulk-shaped lens 26 has ageometry resembling a slice of kamaboko (boiled fish paste having abarrel vault geometry) having a constant thickness as shown in FIG. 52.In view of Eq. (1), the thickness between opposing two flat surface ofthe kamaboko should be more than three times of the outside diameter ofrespective first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d. Each the first tofourth concavity-sidewalls 5 a-5 d of the first to fourth concavities 6a-6 d implemented in the bulk-shaped lens 26, is identified by acylindrical geometry (well shape geometry) of diameter (inside diameter)of 2.5-4 mm^(φ) so as to install each of the main luminescence portionsof the first to fourth light sources (bullet-shaped LED) 1 a-1 d.Spacers of thickness around 0.2-0.5 mm are interposed between the firstto fourth light sources 1 a-1 d and the first to fourth concavities 6a-6 d, respectively, although the illustration is omitted, in order tofix the first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d to the bulk-shaped lens26. Width of the kamaboko-like bulk-shaped lens 26 can be chosendepending on purposes of the light-emitting unit related to the 25thembodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it can be less than 30mm, and even more than 100 mm. In addition, in FIG. 52, although fourlight sources 1 a-1 d are shown, they may be equal to or more then five,further they may be equal to or less than three. However, for bicyclelamp, the numbers around three to five are enough. FIG. 52 shows aconfiguration in which four light sources 1 a-1 d are arranged alongone-dimensional direction, on a same plane level. Even two-dimensionalconfigurations with two levels, such that in the upper layer, the firstand second light sources 1 a, 1 b are arranged, and in the lower layer,the third and fourth light sources 1 c, 1 d are arranged can beaccepted. Furthermore, same as the second embodiment, the first tofourth back mirrors may be implemented to the first to fourth lightsources 1 a-1 d, respectively. In order to obtain bright lighting, withsmaller number of light sources 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, . . . , the pitch ofdisposition of the light sources 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, . . . should be chosenaround three times of the outside diameter of light sources 1 a, 1 b, 1c, . . . . In addition, outside thicknesses of the lens body 4 locatedat both ends of light sources are preferable to have a certain thicknessof the level more than outside diameter of the light source. Thiscondition almost satisfies Eq. (1).

Because, for lighting purpose such as a bicycle lamp and a flashlight,the white LED is preferred, because it is natural to human eyes asdescribed in the first embodiment. As explained in the seventhembodiment, the white LED may have configurations such that three piecesof LED chips of RGB are stacked vertically, or closely spaced each otherin one package. That is to say, the first to fourth white LEDs havingconfigurations such that three pieces of LED chips of RGB areencapsulated in the inside of the bullet-shaped resin seal,respectively, can be employed. The bicycle lamp may embrace a batterycase and a battery (an AA size battery, for example) configured suchthat predetermined voltage can be supplied to the first to fourth whiteLEDs, respectively. The bicycle lamps embraces further an attachmentconfigured such that the lamp body can be mounted on a bicycle handle.Between the anode and cathode of the battery, electrodes of the first tofourth white LEDs, serving as the first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d,are connected, respectively. As a result, in a simple configuration, abicycle lamp or the flashlight can be manufactured at low cost. Thebicycle lamp or the flashlight has high stability and reliability for along term, and in particular, the power dissipation is low, and thelifetime of battery is extremely long.

Between the first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d and the first tofourth concavities 6 a-6 d of bulk-shaped lens 26, components of thelights reflected back at each interfaces, repeating the multiplereflections so as to become the stray light components. By an opticalsystem of the earlier known optical lenses, these stray light componentscannot be extracted so as to contribute to the lighting. However, thesestray light components become the components, which can contribute tolighting, finally, in the 25th embodiment of the present invention,because these stray light components are confined in the insides of thefirst to fourth concavities 6 a-6 d.

In this way, in the 25th embodiment of the present invention, becausethe first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d are nearly completely confinedin the first to fourth concavities 6 a-6 d of the bulk-shaped lens 26,including the stray light components, all output lights emitted from thefirst to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d, can contribute to lightingeffectively. In this way, according to the light-emitting unit relatedto the 25th embodiment of the present invention, desired illuminationintensity can be easily obtained, by establishing light flux havingdesired parallelism, which is enough for the bicycle lamp. Theillumination intensities cannot be achieved by the optical system of theearlier known optical lenses. In this way, according to a light-emittingunit related to the 25th embodiment of the present invention, theillumination intensity that cannot be predicted at all by the earliertechnical common sense can be realized in the simple configuration, asshown in a FIG. 52.

As the materials for the bulk-shaped lens 26 to be use in thelight-emitting unit related to the 25th embodiment of the presentinvention, transparent plastic materials, glass materials, crystallinematerials, described in the first embodiment, can be employed. Further,colored resin or resin including luminescence material can be employed.Among them, thermoplastics such as acryl resin or polyvinyl chlorideresin are materials preferable to mass production of bulk-shaped lens26. As the first to fourth light sources 1 a-1 d, other light sourcessuch as incandescent lamps including halogen lamp, small dischargetubes, and electrodeless discharge lamps can be employed instead ofLEDs. In view of the generation of heat from the halogen lamp, for thecase of light source accompanying the generation of heat, heat-resistingoptical materials are preferable for the bulk-shaped lens 26. As theheat-resisting optical materials, heat-resisting glasses such as quartzglass, sapphire glass are preferable. Or heat-resisting opticalmaterials such as the heat-resisting resin of polycarbonate resin can beemployed. Even crystalline materials such as ZnO, ZnS, SiC can beemployed.

In order to prevent the traffic accident by the non-lighting running, itis preferable to implement a lightness sensor to the bicycle lamp sothat the bicycle lamp can automatically turn on, when it became dark.The LED may illuminate in the unmanned condition, because it dissipateslow power. However, in order to lengthen lifetime of battery more, itcan be so configured that bicycle lamp turns on only in driving, byproviding a weighting sensor to a saddle strap and/or pedals. Byimplementing a logical product (AND) circuitry configured to input thesignal from the lightness sensor and the signal from the weightingsensor, it can be configured such that it turns on automatically onlyboth condition of driving and dark are satisfied, and it turns off thelight automatically when the signal from the weighting sensordisappeared.

26th Embodiment

As already explained, in the light-emitting unit of the first embodimentof the present invention, the technical advantages in which themodification of optical path such as divergence and convergence oflights, and the modification of focal point are possible and easy areshown, without modifying the configuration of light source (LED) itself,by using the bulk-shaped lens 20. Furthermore, for the purpose ofobtaining a larger irradiation area, the light beam diameter from theresin molded LED 1 can be spread by the configuration as shown in FIG.53, in which a second bulk-shaped lens 23 is arranged outside of a firstbulk-shaped lens 20, and a third bulk-shaped lens 24 is arranged outsideof the second bulk-shaped lens 23. The second bulk-shaped lens 23 has asecond storing cavity configured to install the first bulk-shaped lens20, and made of transparent material to wavelength of light, similar tothe first bulk-shaped lens 20. A ceiling surface of the second storingcavity serves as an entrance surface (a third curved surface), a fourthcurved surface facing to the third curved surface serves as an exitsurface. In addition, the third bulk-shaped lens 24 implements a thirdstoring cavity configured to install the second bulk-shaped lens 23. Aceiling surface of the third storing cavity serves as an entrancesurface (a fifth curved surface), a sixth curved surface facing to thefifth curved surface serves as an exit surface.

As shown in FIG. 53, the LED 1 is molded by transparent material 14 suchas epoxy resin having first refractive index n₁ in the 26th embodimentof the present invention. And the first bulk-shaped lens 20 having thirdrefractive index n₂ installs the LED 1 through air having the secondrefractive index n₀. Furthermore, the second bulk-shaped lens 23 havingfourth refractive index n₃ installs the first bulk-shaped lens 20through air having the second refractive index n₀. And the thirdbulk-shaped lens 24 having the refractive index n₄ installs the secondbulk-shaped lens 23 through air. The LED 1, the first bulk-shaped lens20 and the second bulk-shaped lens 23 may be installed in respectivestoring cavities through a fluid or liquid material aside from air. Theoptical path may be designed such that the refractive indexes increasefrom the third refractive index n₂, through the fourth refractive indexn₃ to the fifth refractive index n₄, or it may decrease gradually fromthe third to fifth refractive index.

When the beam diameter is widened too much, like the 26th embodiment ofpresent invention, illumination intensity decreases. Therefore, itbecomes improper for the purpose such as a flashlight. However, itbecomes suitable for the backlight illumination (indirect lightingsystem), in which uniform lighting is required. That is to say,luminescence point of the LEDs shine like spots when a plurality ofnormal bare LEDs are employed in the backlight illumination (theindirect lighting system), and variations of brightness becomessignificant. But, if the beam diameter is magnified to 50-100 mm^(φ)level as shown in FIG. 53, the uniform backlight illumination isachieved.

In addition, a second bulk-shaped lens can be disposed outside of thebulk-shaped lens (the first bulk-shaped lens) 25 that having the backmirror 31 explained in the fourth embodiment, and furthermore, a thirdbulk-shaped lens may be arrange outside of the second bulk-shaped lens.With this configuration, a light beam diameter of molded LED 1 can bemagnified for a purpose of obtaining a further larger irradiation area.Similar to the first bulk-shaped lens 25, the second bulk-shaped lens ismade of transparent material to wavelength of light, and implements aconcavity configured to install the first bulk-shaped lens 25 and aluminescence surface identified by a curved surface. In addition, thethird bulk-shaped lens will implement a concavity configured to installthe second bulk-shaped lens.

27th Embodiment

FIG. 54 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a light-receivingunit related to the 27th embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 54, the light-receiving unit related to the 27th embodiment ofthe present invention embraces a photodiode (a photodetector) such as apin photodiode or an avalanche photodiode configured to detect light ofpredetermined wavelength and a bulk-shaped lens 20 configured toencapsulate nearly completely the photodiode. And the bulk-shaped lens20 has an entrance surface (the second lens surface) 3 identified by asecond curved surface. From a bottom surface to a top surface of lensbody 4 a concavity 6 configured to install the receiving portion of thephotodetector (a photodiode) is implemented. A ceiling surface of theconcavity is identified by a first curved surface. The light incidentfrom the entrance surface (the second lens surface) 3 emits from theceiling surface of the concavity serving as the exit surface (the firstlens surface) 2. And light from the exit surface (the first lenssurface) 2 is condensed to the receiving portion of the photodetector soas to incident on the photodetector.

The photodetector shown in FIG. 54 encompasses at least a first pin 11,a pedestal connected to the first pin 11 so as to merge into singlepiece, a photodiode chip 9 disposed on the pedestal, and second twin pin12 facing to the first pin 11.

The side wall portion of the storing cavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20is identified by a cylindrical geometry having diameter (insidediameter) 2.5-4 mm^(φ) so that it can install the photodetector.Although the illustration is omitted, a spacer of thickness around0.25-0.5 mm is interposed between the photodetector and the storingcavity 6 of the bulk-shaped lens 20, in order to fix the photodetectorto the bulk-shaped lens 20. The spacer is disposed at place aside fromthe main receiving portion of the photodetector, or the left side thanthe bottom face of photodiode chip 9, in FIG. 54. The bulk-shaped lens20 is implemented by cylinder geometry apart from a top surface servingas the entrance surface (the second lens surface) 3 identified by theconvex-shaped second curved surface. The diameter (outside diameter) ofthe cylinder geometry portion of the bulk-shaped lens 20 is 10-30mm^(φ). The diameter (outside diameter) of the bulk-shaped lens 20 canbe chosen depending on purposes of the light-receiving unit related tothe 27th embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it can be lessthan 10 mm^(φ), and even more than 30 mm^(φ).

Furthermore, the light-emitting unit shown in FIG. 1 and thelight-receiving unit related to the 27th embodiment of the presentinvention can be combined to implement an optical information system.The light-emitting unit embraces, as described in the first embodiment,a first bulk-shaped lens body 4 identified by a first top surface 3, afirst bottom surface and a first contour surface, a well-shaped firstconcavity 6 implemented in the inside of the first lens body 4, alignedtoward the first top surface from the first bottom surface, and a lightsource 1 configured to emit light of predetermined wavelength, the lightsource is installed in the first concavity 6 (cf. FIG. 1). On the otherhand, a light-receiving unit embraces, as shown in FIG. 54, abulk-shaped lens implemented by a second bulk-shaped lens body 4identified by a second top surface 3, a second bottom surface and asecond contour surface, and a well-shaped second concavity 6 arranged inthe inside of the second lens body 4 aligned toward the second topsurface 3 from the second bottom surface, and a photodetector 9configured to detect light of predetermined wavelength, thephotodetector is installed in the second concavity 6 of the bulk-shapedlenses. The ceiling surface of the first concavity 6 serves as the firstentrance surface 2, the first top surface 3 serves as the first exitsurface, the second top surface 3 serves as the second entrance surfaceand the ceiling surface of second concavity 6 serves as the second exitsurface 2.

In the optical information system related to the 27th embodiment of thepresent invention, semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LEDis preferable. By using the semiconductor light-emitting element, whichis not accompanied by large heat generation at the luminescence action,since any thermal effect is not given to the bulk-shaped lens by theheat generation action, even if the light source is installed in theinside of concavity (storing cavity) of the bulk-shaped lens, the highreliability and stability for long term operation is maintained. Inaddition, the optical signal can be transmitted with high conversionefficiency as explained in the first embodiment of the presentinvention. On the other hand, since the optical signal propagatesthrough the light-receiving unit to arrive the photodetector in thereversal process of the light-emitting unit, the photodetection withextremely high sensitivity is also achieved. Similar to FIG. 49,predetermined analog or digital signal can be transmitted, by modulatingthe operation of the light source 1, installed in the inside of thefirst lens body 4, by means of the modulator.

An optical information system related to the 27th embodiment of thepresent invention can be applied to the security system, which describedin the 22nd embodiment, in addition to optical communication.

Other Embodiments

As explained above, the present invention is described by means of thefirst to 27th embodiments; the statement of disclosure or the drawingsshould not be understood to limit the invention. The alternateembodiments will become clear to a person skilled in the art from thedisclosure.

For example, the exit surface 3 of the bulk-shaped lens of the presentinvention can be implemented by Fresnel lens, which is identified byconcentric circular curved surfaces 3 f 1, 3 f 2.3 f 3, 3 f 4, . . . asshown in FIG. 55. Or even the configurations identified by pluralradiuses of curvatures, or kinds of lenses such as the fisheye lens canbe employed. The respective optical lenses implementing the fisheyelens, may be configured such that they corresponds to spatial positionof the respective plural disc-shaped LEDs installed in the inside of theconcavity one-to-one. A plurality of high refractive index waveguideregions spatially corresponding to the respective disc-shaped LEDs maybe implemented in the lens body so that the light emitted fromrespective LEDs are guided to the corresponding exit surfaces 3. Suchconfiguration may be manufactured by melting a bundle of plastic opticalfibers.

In addition, in the description of the first to fourth embodiments,although the case when the LED is fixed to the bulk-shaped lens throughthe spacer, interposed between the LED and the storing cavity 6, the LEDcan be fixed to the bulk-shaped lens by means of another methods such asadhesives, screw or clamping mechanism, of course. Furthermore, theoutside diameter 2r_(LED) of LED 1 and the inside diameter 2r of thestoring cavity 6 are made approximately same, so that the LED can betightly fitted in the storing cavity.

Furthermore, outside geometry of bulk-shaped lens 20-29 are not alwaysrequired to be optically flat, but also small irregularity can beimplemented on the surface like a crystal glass. With small irregularityon the surface, the output lights emit in all directions and it becomesconvenient for the backlight illumination or the indirect lighting.

In this way the present invention includes the various embodiments,which are not described here, of course.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The bulk-shaped lens and the lighting equipment of the present inventioncan be applied to flashlights and lighting equipment (backlightillumination) suitable for the liquid crystal display of portablepersonal computer, portable word processor, portable small television orvehicle mounted television. In addition, the bulk-shaped lens, thelight-emitting unit and the lighting equipment of the present inventioncan be applied to miscellaneous electronic product including theindirect lighting. In addition, because the local lighting equipment canbe easily implemented by assembling a plurality of light-emitting units,it can be applied to the fields of lighting equipments. In particular,the semiconductor light-emitting element can be used in the fields oflighting equipments, where the semiconductor light-emitting element isnot employed until now. In addition, the optical information systemembracing the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, bothemploying the bulk-shaped lens of the present invention, can be appliedto the fields of optical communication and security system.

1. A lighting equipment comprising: a plurality of light-emitting units,each of the light-emitting units comprising: a light source, and abulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, a bottom surface anda contour surface, implementing a well-shaped concavity in the inside ofthe lens body identified by a ceiling surface and a cylindrical sidewallportion in succession to the ceiling surface, the concavity beingaligned to the top surface from the bottom surface along an optical axisof the lens body so as to install the light source, a distance betweenthe ceiling surface of the concavity and the top surface along theoptical axis is larger than a radius of curvature of the top surface;and a power supply unit connected respectively to the light-emittingunits, configured to supply electric power to each of the light sources,wherein a gap is provided between the light source and the cylindricalsidewall portion.
 2. The lighting equipment of claim 1, furthercomprising an optical-lens-fastening plate configured to arrange theplurality of light-emitting units, by fixing each of the bulk-shapedlens body to the optical-lens-fastening plate.
 3. The lighting equipmentof claim 2, wherein the plurality of light-emitting units are arrangedtwo-dimensionally on the optical-lens-fastening plate.
 4. The lightingequipment of claim 1, wherein outside diameter of the contour surface ofeach of the lens body is larger than 3 times and smaller than 10 timesof inside diameter of each of corresponding concavity.
 5. A lightingequipment comprising: a plurality a light-emitting units, each of thelight-emitting units comprising: a light source, and a bulk-shaped lensbody identified by a top surface, a bottom surface and a contoursurface, implementing a well-shaped concavity in the inside of the lensbody, the concavity being aligned to the top surface from the bottomsurface along an optical axis of the lens body so as to install thelight source, a distance between a ceiling surface of the concavity andthe top surface along the optical axis is larger than a radius ofcurvature of the top surface; and a power supply unit connectedrespectively to the light-emitting units, configured to supply electricpower to each of the light sources, wherein, with the radius R ofcurvature of the top surface, overall length L measured along opticalaxis direction of the bulk-shaped lens, refractive index n of thebulk-shaped lens, following relationships are satisfied:0.93<k(R/L)<1.06k=1/(0.35 n−0.168).
 6. A lighting equipment comprising: a plurality alight-emitting units, each of the light-emitting units comprising: alight source, and a bulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, abottom surface and a contour surface, implementing a well-shapedconcavity in the inside of the lens body, the concavity being aligned tothe top surface from the bottom surface along an optical axis of thelens body so as to install the light source, a distance between aceiling surface of the concavity and the top surface along the opticalaxis is larger than a radius of curvature of the top surface; and apower supply unit connected respectively to the light-emitting units,configured to supply electric power to each of the light sources,wherein, with protruding height Δ established at the ceiling surface ofeach of the concavity, outside diameter 2Ro of the contour surface ofeach of corresponding lens body, following relationship is satisfied:0.025<Δ /Ro<0.075.
 7. The lighting equipment of claim 1, wherein each ofthe light-emitting units further comprises a back mirror disposed at thebottom surface of the lens body.
 8. The lighting equipment of claim 1,wherein each of the light source is a resin molded LED.
 9. The lightingequipment of claim 1, wherein each of the light source comprising aplurality of LED chips.
 10. The lighting equipment of claim 1, whereinat least a part of the light-emitting of the light-emitting unitsfurther comprises a groove respectively, which is cut on the top surfaceof the lens body, an arrangement of the part of the light-emitting unitsfurther comprising the groove establishes a display pattern.
 11. Alighting equipment comprising: a plurality of light-emitting units, eachof the light-emitting units comprising: a light source, and abulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, a bottom surface anda contour surface, implementing a well-shaped concavity in the inside ofthe lens body identified by a ceiling surface and a cylindrical sidewallportion in succession to the ceiling surface, the concavity beingaligned to the top surface from the bottom surface along an optical axisof the lens body so as to install the light source, an outside diameterof the contour surface is larger than 3 times and smaller than 10 timesof an inside diameter of the concavity; and a power supply unitconnected respectively to the light-emitting units, configured to supplyelectric power to each of the light sources, wherein a gap is providedbetween the light source and the cylindrical sidewall portion.
 12. Thelighting equipment of claim 11, further comprising anoptical-lens-fastening plate configured to arrange the plurality oflight-emitting units, by fixing each of the bulk-shaped lens body to theoptical-lens-fastening plate.
 13. The lighting equipment of claim 12,wherein the plurality of light-emitting units are arrangedtwo-dimensionally on the optical-lens-fastening plate.
 14. A lightingequipment comprising: a plurality of light-emitting units, each of thelight-emitting units comprising: a light source, and a bulk-shaped lensbody identified by a top surface, a bottom surface and a contoursurface, implementing a well-shaped concavity in the inside of the lensbody, the concavity being aligned to the top surface from the bottomsurface along an optical axis of the lens body so as to install thelight source, an outside diameter of the contour surface is larger than3 times and smaller than 10 times of an inside diameter of theconcavity; and a power supply unit connected respectively to thelight-emitting units, configured to supply electric power to each of thelight sources, wherein, with the radius R of curvature of the topsurface, overall length L measured along optical axis direction of thebulk-shaped lens, refractive index n of the bulk-shaped lens, followingrelationships are satisfied:0.93<k(R/L)<1.06k=1/(0.35 n−0.168).
 15. A lighting equipment comprising: a plurality oflight-emitting units, each of the light-emitting units comprising: alight source, and a bulk-shaped lens body identified by a top surface, abottom surface and a contour surface, implementing a well-shapedconcavity in the inside of the lens body, the concavity being aligned tothe top surface from the bottom surface along an optical axis of thelens body so as to install the light source, an outside diameter of thecontour surface is larger than 3 times and smaller than 10 times of aninside diameter of the concavity; and a power supply unit connectedrespectively to the light-emitting units, configured to supply electricpower to each of the light sources, wherein, with protruding height Δestablished at the ceiling surface of each of the concavity, outsidediameter 2Ro of the contour surface of each of corresponding lens body,following relationship is satisfied:0.025<Δ/Ro<0.075.
 16. The lighting equipment of claim 11, wherein eachof the light-emitting units further comprises a back mirror disposed atthe bottom surface of the lens body.
 17. The lighting equipment of claim11, wherein each of the light source is a resin molded LED.
 18. Thelighting equipment of claim 11, wherein each of the light sourcecomprising a plurality of LED chips.
 19. The lighting equipment of claim11, wherein at least a part of the light-emitting units furthercomprises a groove respectively, which is cut on the top surface of thelens body, an arrangement of the part of the light-emitting unitsfurther comprising the groove establishes a display pattern.